A phenomenological case study on the artistic journey and career development of young contemporary artists during the Covid-19 pandemic in Klang Valley, Malaysia

COVID-19 pandemic reached Malaysia in January 2020. With it, social and economic disruption shook the local art scene, throwing the lives of many contemporary artists into jeopardy as lockdowns and economic downturn disrupted their established rhythm. For many of them, most of their artistic journey, personal life, and more importantly — their source of income — are seldom being followed through and documented except for a select few top earners and celebrated veterans. The pandemic opened a unique opportunity for researchers to look deeper into the lives of contemporary artists — especially the young and emerging ones — when they were forced to take difficult decisions to stay afloat in the ever-changing creative landscape. This research aims to explore the experiences of young contemporary artists based in the Klang Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic. It investigates their activities throughout the lockdowns and periods of social distancing, and how they responded to the personal, social, cultural, economic, and technological challenges brought about by one of the most disruptive global crises in recent history. The study examines their adaptive strategies, artistic practices, and career trajectories, with the goal of understanding their resilience and insights for future artistic sustainability in times of crisis. This research was conducted using qualitative research design, the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis method. The findings revealed that the pandemic affected more than material livelihood — it reshaped artistic identity, priorities, and social engagement. Three core themes emerged: Existence Capital, where survival needs redirected artistic focus; Relatedness Field, where digital platforms and social ties sustained practice; and Growth Habitus, where reflection spurred inner transformation. Despite constraints, many participants adapted meaningfully, turning crisis into a catalyst for personal and creative growth. This study concludes that young artists in Klang Valley responded not as passive victims, but as resilient agents of change — redefining what it means to create, connect, and endure in uncertain times.