Poetry and art in the time of Covid-19

PANDEMIC IN THE CITY

TORONTO–Filipino Canadian poet Patria Rivera and artist Joe Rivera presented their work, “Life in the Time of Covid-19,” at the Asian Heritage Month live-streaming series on ZOOM August 1. The cultural online program was moderated by Toronto literary art critic Dr. Lien Chao.

Patria Rivera read from haiku she wrote before the pandemic and revised during quarantine. Joe Rivera presented his paintings in oil which he worked on during the lockdown in Toronto.

During the online streaming, each haiku and painting were presented in tandem to allow the audience to view both poem and artwork.
“We worked independently and only selected the poem and artwork afterwards,” the Riveras told their audience who joined the event online from various parts of the world, among them the United States, China, Australia, the Philippines and Canada. A question-and-answer period allowed the artists to dialogue with the critic and viewers.

THE TIME BETWEEN

Patria Rivera is the author of four poetry books and two chapbooks, including Puti/White (2005), The Bride Anthology (2007), BE (2011), and The Time Between (2018). Her poetry collection, Puti/White, was shortlisted for the 2006 Canadian Trillium Book Award for Poetry.
Joe Rivera, a retired lawyer and blogger (An Uncomplicated Mind), turned to painting after many years of law practice. His works have been exhibited at the Asian Heritage Month Festival and local Toronto galleries.

On Wednesday, September 2, the Toronto Public Library will present the two artists in the library’s Online Live Program on Culture from 6 pm to 7 pm.

Paintings by Joe Rivera:

1) Pandemic in the City, 2020

2) COVID Warriors

3) Mano a Mano