The COVID-19 Pandemic has drastically altered usual patterns of human behavior and forced us to adapt to unprecedented circumstances. Artists across the globe have responded to the pandemic through their work. The National Museum of China in Beijing in particular has leaned on artists to depict and glorify the national government’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In August of 2020, The National Museum of China curated a show entitled, “Unity is Strength: An Art Exhibition on the Fight Against Covid-19." The pieces were chosen by the museum align with the national tradition of positive government propaganda as they praise healthcare workers, first responders, and government protocol. In my magazine, I analyze these “sanctioned” pieces of art to determine what they can tell us about the goals, objectives, and messages the Chinese government is sending to both its citizens and the world. I compare the artwork in the August 2019 show with “unsanctioned” art, sourced from the streets to the digital platforms of WeChat to decode messages sent by both artists and citizens that run counter to the national narrative. Examining both realms of art, “sanctioned” and“unsanctioned,” will illustrate the diverging narratives of Chinese artists and exemplify the role of art in times of crisis.