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How bad will it be?
As the seriousness of Covid19 started to hit home I was wondering how bad it was going to get. Now when it comes to apocalyptic visions nobody captures it quite like John Martin - I absolutely loved the exhibition of his work when it was on at Tate Britain.
Thankfully, the rush on toilet paper aside, it's been very manageable on my part.
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No more trains
It's rare that I go more than two days without using public transport so lock down was easily the longest time I've spent without hopping on a train and entering Central London in my adult life. I do miss the thrill of heading into London to spend a day viewing art, and this Turner masterpiece truly captures the moment for me.
Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851)
The National Gallery, London
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City lights
Sure the centre of London can be congested and polluted. But it's great to be able to access such a bustling and vibrant city every day and night. I spent many a night in London and I miss the buzz of the city. Whether it be coming back from an event at a gallery, dinner with friends or a night at the theatre. This painting depicts Paris over 100 years ago but it captures that sense of energy that I miss.
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Back to nature
One upside of lock down is I've spent a lot more time exploring my local parks and green spaces. Maybe it's just because I'm noticing it now but it feels like a bumper year for butterflies. As they dance among the flowers, around me and each other it reminds me of Van Gogh's painting. It enchanted me the first time I saw it at The National Gallery and that's why I have a print of it hanging in my flat.
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Twitching
Speaking of nature, I have become an amateur twitcher with now some basic ability to recognise birds by plumage and song. One of the largest birds I often spot are heron as I live near the River Wandle. Even more exotic is a pair of little egrets I spot regularly as well. I've even gone as far as to install a bird feeder to bring some smaller birds to my balcony - something I would have never thought of doing pre-pandemic.
I found this work through searching the Art UK website and it's nice to include some sculpture in my selection.
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Back to the sea
While I am a city boy at heart I do love a summer's drive to a sun scorched seaside. I'm hopeful that it will be safe to do later in the summer and I'll get to see something as scenic as this painting I found through searching on Art UK.
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What comes next?
The title of this work is meant to be ironic as the sun rises on a war scarred landscape. However, I'm going to interpret it differently as something more hopeful. Yes the world will be different post-pandemic, but whatever it is the sun will rise on it and we will move on. Just as with any other era defining moment. humanity and life moves on. Hopefully to a future filled with art that we can spend time enjoying and being inspired by.
