Despite the difficulties and restrictions imposed upon galleries and museums by the pandemic, many artists continued to work and exhibit. Among the artists who maintained a busy practice in 2020 were Alia Ali, Judith Bernstein, Carroll Dunham, and Tomashi Jackson, who all undertook new projects, participated in talks, opened multiple in-person and online exhibitions, and found ways to overcome the physical and mental barriers that arose for many creatives over the year.
The artists shared by email the impact of the year’s manifold crises on their art and the challenges of working in 2020. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity.