During lockdown 2020 when I was unable to get to my studio I started making watercolour and ink paintings at home. It was a wonderful re-discovery of a medium and I now make new works on paper every week.
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Writing about this painting
Painted during lockdown, I had sketched out ideas for this painting nearly a year before. I was thinking about overcrowding and the political push for more housing; the idea of ‘space as the final frontier’ – and often the tipping point for poverty for many as housing is a huge issue – and a very pressing local issue here in Cornwall.
Strange now, to finally complete the painting as we create space between us because of the Pandemic. The thought of humanity crushing together, it seems, will be increasing an anachronism even in cities, and many countries around the world. Most of us have the luxury of some space. But if we do not? What are the psychological pressures on people who don’t have enough living space and who cannot get away from others? (even their families). You might recognise a nod to Gin Alley, Goya’s flying figures, the star trek enterprise, colourful skyscrapers and surreal buildings with ‘eye’ graffiti (from a photos of a real place). This is a busy, gaudy palette of colour used to communicate the joy and distress of humanity – with dreams of escape.
Delpha Hudson, June 2020
Works on paper are available for sale
Selected for Distanced Domestic, London
Lockdown story watercolours are small (all 15x18cm) watercolour & ink works on paper. The project started during the first lockdown in March 2020. They invited everyone to share their stories and experiences for good mental health. These stories were visualised and shared on social media and some paintings were shown at Newlyn & Exchange gallery, 2020.
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