Artists in Isolation
Artists in a time of Corona… A series of interviews YAP has conducted to explore how artists work in isolation
Amanda Ward-Thomas
Q. What are you working on in these Covid times?
Penquins, from my recent trip to South Africa. I completely fell in love with them. I managed to get very close to them and took hundreds of photos of them. I had a few sketches I had done when there
Q. Favourite pastime - has it changed since lockdown?
Studying French - I am studying a lot more. Cycling - I am cycling a lot more, including trips to the shops on my bike.
Q. What is your next meal?
Chicken Casserole, I prepared over the weekend when I cooked 11 lunches for my parents !
Q. What is the first thing that you will do when lockdown is over?
See my friends
Annie Rose Fiddian-Green
Q. What you are working on in these Covid times?
The lockdown period meant I had to leave my studio in London taking to an old boat shed in north Norfolk where I am currently working. I turned my attention from the human figure, (which was the focus of my practice in London) to the humble giant trees that hold the space here in Norfolk. I have been making large scale, expressive line drawings of the trees in my local area. Heading out into the fields daily to record and respond to their dynamic shapes. Their weighty presence and corporeal forms have kept me occupied during this uncertain time and have become some of my best models! I have also been making brightly coloured, layered paintings in response to the way trees connect the earth, the air, water and fire so completely further influencing my need to express the respect I have for these ancient organisms. Lino-prints and everyday pencil drawings go along side these larger works.
Q. Favourite past time - has this changed during lock down?
A new favourite pastime is making earrings from shells and feathers found here in Norfolk.
Q. Who inspires you or what films, books etc are you watching and reading?
Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening – with a subtle Buddhist philosophy he offers daily poems and wisdom on living presently which has been great guidance for now more than ever! The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, The Women who run with Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés. The Adam Buxton podcasts, he always makes me laugh out loud in my studio and gets some really fantastic prolific individuals in to ‘ramble with’. Desert Island discs- they never get old! I particularly like to listen to interviews with artists. Maggie Hambling, Quentin Blake and Tracy Emin are a few good examples. Music: ambient mixes made by my dear friend Harry Simmons. Female country and folky albums e.g. Jessica Pratt and Be Good Tanyas and Joni Mitchell. Also I have been lucky enough to be isolating with my friend Henry Ayling who is a talented finger- picking guitarist, so live music can be heard here most of the day!
Q. What is your next meal ?!
Next meal is most likely an Indian Dahl with fresh greens- perfect lock-down soul food!
Q. What will be the first thing you will do when lock down is over?
First thing I will do when lock down is over is GO OUT DANCING!
JESS GALE
Q. What you are working on in these Covid times?
The Dorset/Wiltshire landscape. Our village lies on the border between the two counties. We are the highest village for miles around so we have stunning views down to the coast. So lots of big skies and endless fields of rape seed at the moment.
Q. Favorite past time - has this changed during lock down?
Apart from painting I have become obsessed with baking sourdough bread. Not good for the waistline.....
Q. Who inspires you or what films, books etc are you watching and reading?
I do a regular thing on Sunday on Instagram where I post an image by one of the many artists that inspire me. I have included Joan Eardley, James Abbott McNeil Whistler, and the late British artist Peter Iden. All brave and bold artists.
Q. 4 What is your next meal ?!
Probably a hot cross bun!
Q. What will be the first thing you will do when lock down is over?
Book a hair cut!
maddie hills
Q. What you are working on in these Covid times?
I've been making new work by taking apart old canvases and collaging them back together to create new compositions. I've also been incorporating lots of strange new materials that I can find around the house like old newspapers that I then paint over. I've also been working on 3 paintings for a corporate commission that has been keeping me very busy. These are oil paintings and the brief is landscapes and the canvases are all square. Working to a brief isn't something I do often, however with little structure at the moment I am grateful for the challenge and something solid to work towards.
Q. Favourite past time - has this changed during lock down?
I have been really making the most of my daily exercise and have been running every day. I live in a very natural area so there is always lots of inspiration to start the day. It sets me up well for a day in the studio.
Q. Who inspires you or what films, books etc are you watching and reading?
I've been reading a lot as I've begun a new research project where I’m looking into random years throughout history and trying to map all the paintings that were made across the world that year. I think it's going to be called That Year (but this might change) and I'm almost ready to go with my first year. I hate searching on the internet so luckily we have a well stocked shelf of art books so I have plenty to rifle through. I also have my history of art books which haven't really been used since A-Levels so its very satisfying to get a new lease of life out of them. The project is fascinating both from an artist research perspective but also because it's given me the opportunity to learn about so many new artists from Egypt, Japan, South America, China and more, and how they coincided with the artworks and artists that I am already aware of.
Q. What is your next meal?
We have a cooking rota and I am cooking tonight. I'll be cooking bangers (both veggie and non veggie) and (cauliflower) mash. We have 2 vegetarians, one carbohydrate free, and one dairy free in our household at the moment so it's a permanent logistical nightmare.
Q. What will be the first thing you will do when lock down is over?
Give everyone I know a huge hug, hopefully spend a sunny day at the pub, spend at least an hour hand picking materials in an art shop, and go to the library to dig into all of the books that I'm dying to read for my new project.
georgemma hunt
Q. What you are working on in these Covid times?
I’m still working full time from home as an architectural assistant with Studio MUTT, but I’ve been filling my free time with lots of painting. I’ve put my commission work on hold and I’m using this time to work on larger, personal paintings while I have access to my studio in Sussex. I recently completed my ‘Selves Portrait’ and am in the process of designing my next piece that will memorialise my trip with 23 friends to Land’s End to celebrate New Year’s.
Q. Favorite past time - has this changed during lock down?
I’ve been going on long bike rides after I get off from work and I can’t get enough of it! This is definitely a new lockdown love!
Q. What inspires you?
The list is endless and so varied, but a few recent inspirations have included happy memories, friends, beautiful scenes in nature and the work of so many artists.
Q. What is your next meal?
Veggie pizza! It’s about to go in the oven! I can’t wait!
Q. What will be the first thing you will do when lock down is over?
I’ll be driving at high speed up to Liverpool to see my boyfriend and breathe in the docks’ fresh air!
Bex massey
Q What you are working on in these Covid times?
My new home studio is pretty pokey with terrible light so I think I have finished flogging myself trying to paint. I am now moving one step to the right and into the kitchen to make an armature for a sculpture. This could go either way but I'll give it a try as I want it to form the base of a new canvas.
Due to reduced space I am mainly using the isolation period to research all things Greek Mythology and feminist theory. This week I just finished Allison Yarrow's '90's Bitch' and I’m moving onto Euripides, 'The Phoenician Women' with a chaser of ‘How to see’ by David Salle.
Q Favourite past time - has this changed during lock down?
I've taken up Yoga and I am reading a lot...I've started to see it as a challenge: 'How many books can I get done in a month?'
Q Who inspires you or what films, books, podcasts, music etc are you watching and reading/listening to ?
Mary Beard in all her forms-TV, YouTube, debating classics with Boris Johnson & recently in print via her book 'Women & Power'. I am also using my research subjects -Ancient Greek Mythology and 90’s subculture- as wonderful legitimisers behind watching Xena Warrior Princess, Hercules the legendary journey, Disney's The little Mermaid and Hercules of an evening :)
Q What is your next meal?!
Tea: Home made curry.
Q What will be the first thing you do when lock down is over?
I will drive to Wales to see my partners folks and Newcastle to see mine :) Once I’ve seen my family and friends I’ll get back in the studio and put all of this research to good use.
The Chelsea Potter
Q. What you are working on in these Covid times?
Aside from working through a once well stocked cellar… writing a few songs and crying over lost potting time..
Q. Favourite past time - has this changed during lock down?
An opportunity to moisturise at regular intervals during the day (+ a cocktail of turmeric and vitamin type supplements I stockpiled before “isolation”). My current confines are no place for an athletic beast like myself…but hitting the pavements for escapist runs is helping.
Q. Who inspires you or what films, books etc are you watching and reading?
The BBC’s archive of old and mostly charming black and white films is an antidote.
Q. What is your next meal ?!
I Walked downstairs and to my surprise and admiration found a sandwich production plant set up and in full bagel swing across the little dining room table for a homeless charity. I haven’t got as far as my next meal.. possibly another one of those turmeric tablets…
Q. What will be the first thing you will do when lock down is over?
Kiss as many women as possible.
Fleur Simon
Q What you are working on in these Covid times?
I am working on a series of paintings in my medium scale (76 x 61 cm) using all the scrap materials in my studio. I have set myself the task that I will not buy any new materials until the old ones are used up. On the side from this, I have also been working in clay (because I had two bags left over from art school) to create a series of hand built bowls and have also done a few series of lino prints from drawings of my surroundings.
Q Favourite past time - has this changed during lock down?
Drawing and making pots have been really helpful to pass the spare time. Before lockdown I felt like I never had time to draw but now it’s been really helpful to keep my hands busy. It has equally been really relaxing to hand build some bowls and be creative in a non fine art context (without any pressure!). I think I will have birthday and Christmas presents to last a few years when this is over.
Q Who inspires you or what films, books, podcasts, music etc are you watching and reading/listening to
I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts as I am spending all day in the studio. These include Jay Rayner’s ‘Out to Lunch’, ‘Off Menu’ and any podcast that involves food! I’ve also found other artists’ approach to lock down to be very encouraging, for example Grayson Perry’s new programme on Channel 4 and Noel Fielding’s art club.
Q What is your next meal ?!
A big curry. I have had had so much time that I have even organised the spice drawer and realised how much of it needs using so it will be curry for a few days!
Q What will be the first thing you will do when lock down is over?
1. Hug my friends 2. Go to the woodwork shop!
Odilia Suanzes
Q. What you are working on in these Covid times?
During this period I was supposed to be in South America, in Atacama desert and few other places doing some residencies. But the lockdown caught me just a week before the start of this trip. For the past year I haven’t really had a base, I have been doing residencies in different locations, which were my base for the period of time I had to be there and then I would move somewhere else, I was in constant movement. But this lockdown caught me in Madrid preparing my trip and language at my parents house. While I was there I didn’t really have much space to work, so I have mainly been drawing with different materials. Then I moved to my grandparents house, where I am at now. I have the whole space for myself as they are in a different location. My grandfather enjoyed doing wood carving back in the day. I am getting some inspiration from his work, and I am playing with his carving materials and tools. I am also trying to make a camera obscura and still playing around with a microscope, drawing and photography.
Q. Favourite past time - has this changed during lock down?
My favourite past time was moving around and feeling some kind of freedom, but this has radically changed over the lockdown. In Madrid things have been pretty tough, even though I feel it has bring positive things too. Time to think, reflect, meditate, develop ideas, write, draw, read, built up strength, awareness, trust, transformation, inner tranquility and breath some fresh air out the window… It has been a time to observe a lot of things from myself and the world.
Q. Who inspires you or what films, books etc are you watching and reading?
At the moment I am picking up on reading, I have been reading lots of different types of books. I have been reading a book on Ai Weiwei, a book about The first fifty years on video art of Barbara London, a book about dreams and Jung, a book about woman and mythology, The Old Man and the Sea from Hemingway, a book about fermentation. Basically a variety of things.. I have also been watching art documentaries, specially from the period of Avant Gard, video art, art in the 70s and 80s, Joseph Bueys and social sculpture.
Q. What is your next meal?
I am going to bake some sourdough bread and I am thinking on making a Spanish tortilla with a fresh tomato, onion and fresh herbs salad.
Q. What will be the first thing you will do when lock down is over?
I think I will probably walk for days. In Spain, which is where I have been locked down for the past weeks, we are not allowed to go for a walk, do some sports, etc… unless you go to the groceries, the pharmacy or an emergency. I have a huge urge to walk and observe the environment, nature, the architecture of a city, people… and not just four walls and a block of buildings out the window. I also miss the contact with people, my friends and love ones, so probably interact with all them.
