A gallery in Keswick is to stage an exhibition later this year showcasing what life was really like under lockdown in the town.
Pictures, paintings and other pieces of art such as pottery or poetry – all depicting 2020’s unprecedented times – will be displayed at the Northern Lights Gallery in St John Street.
Owner and photographer Tim Fisher has produced the first exhibits after walking round town with his camera, taking pictures of how ordinary people’s lives had changed because of self-isolation, social distancing and other measures caused by coronavirus.
Now Tim is inviting other local residents from Keswick, Borrowdale and outlying villages to contribute their own perspectives so these too can be included in the exhibition on the third floor of his gallery in December.
In a message to would-be exhibitors, he said: “It’s a creative call to arms to show your artwork produced during The Great Lockdown of 2020. The team here want to see and curate your artwork and hang it in the exhibition space as a community response to this pandemic.”
Reflecting on his own contribution, he added: “When initially it was dull and overcast, I went out and photographed the back streets, car parks and main intersections in town, with specific reference to an absence of human habitation. Then when the sun appeared, I took my flash units out into the landscape and into peoples’ environments, strictly adhering to social distancing and have, through portraiture, been photographing how people are behaving, managing their daily lives during this lockdown.”
He says the range of art accepted would also cover videos, drawings, print, sculpture and short stories. It must have been produced from the start of lockdown on 23rd March to within two weeks of the end of it, whenever that is. People should send in their submissions, preferably via WeTransfer and Dropbox links or via email. Prizes will be awarded for the best adult and under-18 entries.
Tim said: “The gallery is keen to witness the emergence of fresh art in the light of a new-found self-awakening, the blossoming of creative endeavours where before it may have been dormant or hidden from view. We want to see, to champion and herald the changed perspectives of Keswick and its wider area through newly-sharpened, more observant eyes, sensibilities and minds.
“I think this is an enormously important period, not just in our personal lives, but we may historically look back and see this as a fulcrum event – a personal inventory of what we have and where we are and where we potentially might want to be in the next year five or 25 years ahead.”
