As an art critic in lock down I was seriously lacking my art fix. I would normally visit hundreds of exhibitions in a year so have had to adjust to a new life in isolation. I've pulled together some of my favourite works that also speak to what adjusting to a new lifestyle has been like.
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.
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)
Oil on canvas
H 91 x W 121.8 cm
The National Gallery, London
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.
Camille Pissarro (1830–1903)
Oil on canvas
H 53.3 x W 64.8 cm
The National Gallery, London
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.
Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)
Oil on canvas
H 64.5 x W 80.7 cm
The National Gallery, London
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.
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.
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.
Paul Nash (1889–1946)
Oil on canvas
H 71.1 x W 91.4 cm
IWM (Imperial War Museums)