Vic Lee's Corona Diary 2020

A personal illustrated journal of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020


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.