SKETCHES 2020 DURING LOCKDOWN | Charity Art Project for APHP

alex kanos is sketching in blue on paper

A collection of sketches i made during lockdown.

Some were selled to help a non-profits service, APHP (French Public Hospitals of Paris), with the help of ‘SAATO Project’ during the pandemic crisis. The year 2020 marked an unprecedented moment in recent history. During the pandemic, lockdowns transformed daily life across the world, affecting how people worked, communicated and created.

For many artists, this period became a time of reflection and experimentation. These sketches were produced within that unique context.

Working on paper offered a different rhythm from large-scale murals and public artworks. The reduced format encouraged a more intimate approach, allowing ideas to emerge through drawing, acrylic paint, gouache and ink. Each piece became an opportunity to explore visual concepts, characters and compositions that would later influence other projects.

Sketchbooks often function as laboratories for artistic research. They reveal the early stages of an artist’s creative process and document moments of exploration that are not always visible in finished works. This collection reflects that process, capturing thoughts, observations and visual experiments developed during an uncertain period.

Although created in isolation, some of these artworks became part of a collective initiative. Several drawings were sold in support of APHP, the French Public Hospitals of Paris, through the SAATO Project. The initiative aimed to contribute to healthcare efforts during the crisis by using art as a means of solidarity and fundraising.

This charitable dimension adds another layer of meaning to the collection. Beyond personal artistic research, the drawings became part of a broader effort to support healthcare professionals and institutions facing extraordinary challenges. Art played a role not only as a form of expression but also as a vehicle for social engagement.

The visual language found in these sketches remains connected to themes that frequently appear throughout my work. Organic structures, mechanical influences, fragmented compositions and hybrid figures continue to emerge, even in small-format drawings. These recurring elements reflect ongoing questions about humanity, technology, memory and transformation.

The use of acrylic paint, gouache and ink creates a rich variety of textures and contrasts. Ink allows for precise line work, while gouache and acrylic introduce depth, atmosphere and graphic intensity. Together, these materials offer flexibility and spontaneity that support experimentation.

Unlike murals, which interact directly with public space, works on paper invite closer observation. They encourage viewers to focus on details, gestures and subtle visual relationships. This change in scale creates a different type of engagement while remaining connected to the same artistic universe.

The lockdown period also encouraged many artists to reconsider the role of creativity during times of crisis. For some, art became a means of documenting events. For others, it offered an escape or a form of resilience. These sketches reflect aspects of both approaches, combining introspection with a desire to remain connected to the wider community.

Today, this collection serves as a visual record of a specific historical moment. It preserves memories of a period defined by uncertainty while highlighting the role that artistic creation can play during difficult circumstances.

Ultimately, Sketches 2020 During Lockdown represents both a personal body of work and a contribution to a collective effort. Through drawing, painting and charitable engagement, the project demonstrates how art can respond to challenging times while continuing to inspire reflection, dialogue and solidarity.

By Alex KANOS, Acrylic, gouache & ink pen on paper / Commissionned by APHP and SAATO project, Location Paris France