Handmade cushion with a repeated pattern depicting coronavirus. Multi-coloured pattern on navy blue background with 'COVID-19' stitched along base. Needle-point (sometimes known as tapestry) on canvas. Made by Ann Gittins in Autumn 2020, England.

Ann Gittins created this Covid-19 themed cushion as a Christmas gift for her nephew in Autumn 2020. Inspired by images of the virus seen on TV and the news, Ann used a technique called needlepoint to embroider her design onto canvas.

Ann felt “it would be good to create gifts that commemorated 2020.” This cushion is an example of how the image of coronavirus has entered popular visual culture and captures just one way people have commemorated this hugely disruptive period in our lives.