An extraordinary memento of a life-changing moment in history, artist Vic Lee's visually stunning, graphic novel-style personal diary chronicles his experience of the coronavirus pandemic as it unfolded.

With beautiful hand-drawn illustrations and typography, Vic Lee's Corona Diary vividly captures what it was like to live through this unprecedented period. Listening to daily news stories, experiencing different ways of living and working as well as adapting to new and necessary social controls, renowned London artist, illustrator and storyteller Vic Lee documents the first six months of the pandemic in real time. An epilogue spread touches on the events of July, August and September.

Reflect on and process the unforgettable events of the pandemic through an intimate account in images and lettering of the initial news from a place called Wuhan, Italy's first cases then state of emergency, its spread across the world and the WHO's declaration of a global pandemic, the lockdown and toilet paper shortages, the economic fallout, the unfathomable numbers of people dead, the immense gratitude to those on the frontline of the health services, the reactions and decisions made by leaders that would affect us all, the anxiety and isolation - all the twists and turns.

While this work of art is a snapshot of one person's experience, it conveys events experienced and emotions felt by billions around the world - a permanent record of a time we will never forget.

About the Author

Vic Lee is an artist, illustrator, storyteller, wordsmith and mapmaker. Vic earned a degree in graphic design from Nottingham Trent and spent 14 years in graphics before beginning his art career in 2011 with limited edition prints of London streets. These hand-illustrated prints featuring buildings and typography sold out quickly, with purchasers become clients. He has since created artworks, including murals, for some of the world's biggest brands, companies, and institutions, including Nike, Mercedes, JLR, The Tate and Virgin Atlantic. viclee.co.uk / @vicleelondon

Reviews
As the lives of all of us have played out over through the pandemic the book will be a great visual read for many as a reflection and reminder of what we've been through, via the lens of a visual artist who was compelled to take up his brush and document the worst global crisis of recent times. -- Derek Brazell * Association of Illustrators *
One of The Most Anticipated Graphic Novels of 2021 According to Goodreads Members -- Tommy Williams * GeekTyrant *

The book is a chaotic collage that hangs together because its apparent formlessness echoes the uncertainty of the pandemic, the need to constantly remain on alert. It can be tricky to create a memoir as you are living it, but Lee benefits because his circumstance is shared by us. His book is full of small moments of recognition.

-- David Ulin * The Orange County Register *
The 88-page book tells the story of the pandemic year - the highs and the lows, from clapping campaigns for front-line workers to toilet paper shortages and the vaccine rollout efforts. -- Victoria Craig * Marketplace.org *
This diary includes news, witty observations and a little bit of comedy though it doesn't shy away from the lives that have been lost or the social impact of the pandemic. -- Neymat Raboobee * BookRiot *
Created as the year 2020 unfolded, Lee's personal and cathartic memoir conveys the ups and downs felt by people throughout the world-from the earliest news of an outbreak in Wuhan to lockdowns and toilet paper shortages to the growing numbers of victims, opinions and reactions. -- Holly Davis * Artists Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9780711263741
Author Vic Lee
Format Hardback
Page Count 88
Imprint Frances Lincoln
Publisher Quarto Publishing PLC