COVID-19 CREATIVE OUTLET: A Critique on Social Structures in Tomaž Jelenc’s Artworks

Tomaž Jelenc - "WTC • World Tour Circus" contemporary art

The World is experiencing a moment of stand-still during the events of Covid-19 pandemic. Surely it is affecting each one of us in many different ways. To some this means fear and uncertainty about the future, economic difficulties, to others – inspiration and time to create. This period brings ideas into surface, raises questions and debates about our healthcare and economic systems, ecological, political and social issues.

This is a series of posts featuring creative expressions made during Covid-19 pandemic, or previous works that are particularly relevant during these times of change.


Tomaž Jelenc is a Croatian visual artist, who uses art as a form of critique to the current world order with its elite power structures, inequality and corruption. He emphasises the importance of visual art as a universal tool in the development of societies.

“Throughout entire creative cycle, artists are accustomed to being alienated or isolated in their creativity, so for me personally, not much has changed. But I am annoyed by the fact and awareness of how powerless we all are in these moments. I cannot get rid of the feeling that everything is just a game of the Lords relentlessly thirsting for power, interests and money without regard to us mere mortals. In the hope of all good, I have nothing left but to build a better self, through my own creative work, and consequently my surroundings. If we all do good together, we cannot sink in the fields of the bad, the corrupt and the inhumane.”


“WTC • World Tour Circus”
Drypoint, Collage, A la poupée,
(Tincan print, approx.: 10 x 17 cm)
on Fabriano 300g
27 x 35 cm
4•2020

“Like imperialism, feudalism and capitalism, the Neo-feudalism is a platform of society based on the “right of the elite” to oppress fellow human beings and to exploit the weaker, the poorer, the less talented. Today, the legal system only protects fraudsters, and the honest man has once again become a “servant” who never finds justice and gratification with the Lord. If your father steals and becomes a “wealthy father” as his bank account and his power grows, albeit at the expense of collateral damage, citizen misery, hunger and even life-threatening damage to your children … What is his example? So what do we teach our children? Where are we pointing them?

Into the vicious circle of a well organized “World Tour Circus” As a result of our journey through global transition, we have conquered the notion of
democracy, evolved to a higher level and enacted values such as egoism and rebellion. The legacy of “Mother Earth” and the responsible task of the ombudsman of the” common estate” has become a” mission impossible “as the common good has been transformed into a” hunting ground “for political, economic and religious tycoons. Kleptocrates in the age of globalization, the formation of the “New World Order” and virtual dependency, “feeds us” with more than 150,000 visual information a day. Breakfast of champions who, in the process of existence, of the global pandemic of the COVID-19 virus, aware of their helplessness, can only afford a can of food.

To refresh your memory;

A.Definition of kleptocracy: Ancient Greek “thief” and “rule” kleptocracy is a term used for government entities who fraudulently exploit government corruption for personal wealth and political power, and the ruling class (collectively, kleptocrats), with embezzlement public funds at the expense of the population, sometimes even without the pretext of honest service. The term means “rule of thieves”.

B. SDO or “Dry Daily Meal”: Meal intended for military needs or masses in the event of natural disasters. Canned food.

A. The best and most valuable things in life are free. At birth you were given a mega processor called “the brain”. IT IS TIME TO USE IT !!”
Tomaž Jelenc

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