A cartoon perspective on life

FOR over 20 years, Zhang Chunlei had been painting serene images of landscapes and nature. But during the Covid-19 circuit breaker of 2020, the 51-year-old artist was struck by the sight of an empty market that was previously teeming with life.

Soon after, he picked up a large canvas and started painting a picture of the market filled with not just ordinary Singaporeans but also cartoon characters and figures from famous paintings.

Mona Lisa, Astro Boy and the Girl with a Pearl Earring are among those having kopi and kaya toast as if it was the most ordinary thing in the world. At the same time, they are all wearing face masks - a grim reminder that we are living through a public health crisis.