This later half of the year has seen me working on a different project to my norm. Almost all of my tapestries to date have drawn from my inspiration of, or experiences in, the natural landscape. But I recently finished weaving the first in a series I’ve come to call my ‘covid-collages’.
2020 has been quite the year! Our girl was ready for all the excitement and adventures that a new year promises. But 2020 had other ideas…
‘Oh hi 2020’ is a tapestry based on a collage made while in self-quarantine after returning from the US in the “early days” of COVID-19. It is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on feeling as if 2020 never really started amidst all the chaos and disaster (sarcasm and humour are a coping method here). By the end of March, bushfires, smoke and a global pandemic had already put a stop to so many plans. The collage-making and resulting tapestry was a good way to work through some of the thoughts and feelings I had about what was going on at the time.
The tapestry depicts our girl looking disheartened, unimpressed, perhaps emotionally exhausted; dressed up with nowhere to go. After the horrendous start to the year, she’d been waiting for the “real” 2020 to show up; only to be faced with a global pandemic and months of social restrictions (note the empty row of chairs in the foreground). I find it symbolic that she’s also posing on a toilet… down which 2020 has felt like it’s gone for so many.
I found the collages were a good way to work through some of the thoughts and feelings I had about what was going on at the time. My own ‘art as a response to…’ type thing. And weaving this particular tapestry certainly taught me a lot and stretched me as far as skill and technique. Lots of lessons to take forward to future work!
Where to find her
‘Oh hi 2020’ was selected as part of the Blacktown City Art Prize and will be on exhibition 28 November 2020 to 28 January 2021.
