#lockdowndiary
#lockdowndiary is a series of photographs which I took in Spring - Summer 2020 in Leeds, UK in an attempt to document the experience of the first COVID-related lockdown, which started on March 23rd 2020.
The restrictions meant that both my partner’s work and mine had to be carried out from home in a quickly redesigned “office” in the backroom, while also taking care of our toddler age daughter whose nursery routine abruptly ended.
Our back garden served as a playground almost all Summer and has gradually expanded to the neighbouring streets and nearby parks, which we explored on our allowed daily walks.
The empty and carless summery streets had an eerie feel to them as if they absorbed everyone’s mood. I’ll be sharing a selection of new work made in this strange and difficult time as well as personal notes of the unfolding situation and everything else in between.
April 7, 2020.
‘As a family we are normally outside a lot and the restrictions have been difficult for Alicia to adjust to.’
April 5, 2020.
‘Traces at the time of lockdown’
March 25, 2020.
‘I had been taking more pictures of my family, our house and nearby surroundings. As the days went by, it started growing into a diary of some sort.’
March 26, 2020.
‘Without the usual life distractions, the COVID-19 crisis have given me more time to bond with my daughter.’
April 13, 2020.
‘Even perfect flower petals fall.’
March 31, 2020.
‘It can be tricky being your child’s sole friend and playmate – especially when you’re a parent juggling work, household responsibilities and your own anxieties.’
March 5, 2020.
‘Virus trash.’
May 9, 2020.
'Blindfolded' - 'Seen on my permitted daily exercise out of my home’
April 8, 2020.
‘Alicia seeks to entertain.’
May 23, 2020.
‘The new normal and coronavirus.’
April 22, 2020.
'Another inside day.'
May 9, 2020.
‘Hide and seek.’
June 26, 2020.
‘Moments of light in our makeshift office.’
April 6, 2020.
‘Imprint’
May 8, 2020.
'Does the sunny weather make the lockdown easier or harder?'
April 11, 2020.
'Human life is literally quieter due to lockdown. I have never known the city to be so desolate.'
April 11, 2020.
‘Help!’
May 4, 2020.
’From the outside looking in, she is the same happy child she was prior to lockdown.’
May 2, 2020.
'Joy and solace.'
April 15, 2020.
'Unexpected moment.'
April 6, 2020.
‘Overall, it’s not been too bad. Obviously, coronavirus itself is frightening, but so far, we’re coping OK with this weird new housebound life. But I struggle really to know what “OK” means in this context.’
May 8, 2020.
'Over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.'
May 8, 2020.
'Bank Holiday sunshine.'
May 19, 2020.
‘Neighbourhood ‘spreading hope’ amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and clapping for the NHS but after the dust settles they will still go back to their xenophobic views.’
- Keep clapping.
Painting was a regular family pastime during the lockdown that has taken us to some interesting projects. I remember one time we ran out of surfaces to paint on so I took Alicia's old shirt out and offered to do some finger painting. Alicia picked up the colour and chose the shape to paint - which coincidentally struck a chord with the situation we were all in. I saved the shirt and when the restrictions were eased I took it to the studio and photographed it. I wanted to preserve it as a record of our time in lockdown with all its challenges, difficulties, and hopes.