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In the quiet streets of a small suburban town, I recall hearing the beautiful song of birds singing, waking from the long deep sleep of winter, and watching the leaves unfurl on the regular familiar walk. Each day, they extended a little further like a time-lapsed film stretching out into the sun’s warm rays. Nature slowly unravelled as the brighter days headed towards the summer solstice and yet the early months of the year passed as if suspended in a time capsule.
At first, the restrictions were formidable, only able to go out once a day, yet as time passed on, the 'new normal' started to open up again. However, within the lockdown period, I had time to explore familiar and newly discovered footpaths that interwove around the town, perhaps trodden by generations before on their way to market or to church. I had time to enjoy nature, wildlife; whitethroat, yellowhammer, green woodpecker, water vole and opportunity to enjoy the beautiful clear blue traffic-free sky.
Space to catch my breath from life’s busyness was gratefully received so that I could admire the sunrise and sunset of nature’s pinks, purples, oranges and yellows.
As an artist, I have long had an interest in the changes and developments in our towns and cities. How we evolve, bend, and adjust to the places we live in. During this period, I had time to appreciate the world just outside my door.
Taking my camera on these walks and capturing the more positive side of our current situation, I documented the architectural and sculptural forms of trees and nature in the different quality of light of morning, day and evening. Once back in my temporary art studio, my kitchen, I played with the images creating work for a solo exhibition later this year.
That beautiful clear blue sky created such an amazing background for many textural forms.
The country and the world as we knew has changed, and a new approach, a new normal is unfurling like the leaves in the Spring. I will continue to enjoy the current, rediscover the past whilst living in the now.
At first, the restrictions were formidable, only able to go out once a day, yet as time passed on, the 'new normal' started to open up again. However, within the lockdown period, I had time to explore familiar and newly discovered footpaths that interwove around the town, perhaps trodden by generations before on their way to market or to church. I had time to enjoy nature, wildlife; whitethroat, yellowhammer, green woodpecker, water vole and opportunity to enjoy the beautiful clear blue traffic-free sky.
Space to catch my breath from life’s busyness was gratefully received so that I could admire the sunrise and sunset of nature’s pinks, purples, oranges and yellows.
As an artist, I have long had an interest in the changes and developments in our towns and cities. How we evolve, bend, and adjust to the places we live in. During this period, I had time to appreciate the world just outside my door.
Taking my camera on these walks and capturing the more positive side of our current situation, I documented the architectural and sculptural forms of trees and nature in the different quality of light of morning, day and evening. Once back in my temporary art studio, my kitchen, I played with the images creating work for a solo exhibition later this year.
That beautiful clear blue sky created such an amazing background for many textural forms.
The country and the world as we knew has changed, and a new approach, a new normal is unfurling like the leaves in the Spring. I will continue to enjoy the current, rediscover the past whilst living in the now.
Article and image by: Fiona Bennett
September 2020
September 2020