Art can have a very therapeutic effect during this pandemic, whether through its practice or appreciation. People can become very depressed at this time and doing something artistic gives them a chance to focus on that and not other problems in their life. For some, like myself, it was a chance to do a few paintings from events that moved me; like the struggle to buy basic supplies.
When the virus first caused panic buying, I was lucky enough to be on holiday in Mexico with my wife; a country not yet effected by it. As days past we saw newspaper articles about shortages, but it wasn't until we came back to Salford and tried to buy everyday items that reality struck, and seeing people desperately searching for toilet rolls struck a chord with me. Seeing this, I reworked one of my old sketches of an old lady and hoped that people would appreciate the problems they were having.
A few years ago, we visited China and saw people wearing face masks there because of the smog but never expected to see it here. Now essential workers must travel on trains and the underground, and these can be crowded. I depicted four of these going to work to show the dedication of these people, putting themselves at risk so that others can survive.
Another thing we will have to get used to is queuing. Like most people we only try to go to the shops when we need essential shopping. By now shops have introduced markings to help people queue before entering and we have been fortunate that the weather has been good. People have been sticking to this but once inside this is not always practical as the isles aren't always wide enough. Some shops have even introduced one-way systems. At least the staff are now protected with plastic screens. This social distancing is something I think we are going to have to get used to for a long time now.
I personally will continue to do figure studies of people living their lives in and around Salford in these trying times but I fear that sadly, some of the people I will portray may not survive and it could be a long time before we see groups of old people sat on a bench, chatting happily and passing the time in each other's company.
I belong to Salford Art Club, which usually meets every Wednesday evening at Salford Museum and Art Gallery and the members there have reacted to this crisis in paint, oils and pencil drawings. The response has been amazing, and it reinforces my opinion that art can be therapeutic and important to our well-being.
Members of Salford Art Club have reacted in such diverse ways. Elaine Hill has focused on historical pictures of the MPs involved. Kathy Bowers has done a picture based on Game of Thrones with the character hoarding toilet rolls, a humorous reflection on the problem. Liang Sun has altered a Banksy painting to reflect the times. Gill Nicholas has done a painting reflecting all the issues with the coronavirus, while George Lee has done a cricketer trying to hit the virus.
Other members have used the time to paint topics that interest them such as Moira's Mushrooms and Lynn Kirkley's landscapes. Susan Leech has set people the challenge of doing one small picture a day reflecting something around them, and Carol Parkes is doing paintings based on Astley Mining Museum called, Covid-19 a series of paintings of the Lockdown Period.
The response of the public by the placing of rainbows in widows shows the respect people have for the health workers and other key workers, as does the Thursday clapping. People have come to appreciate all the workers who are now doing essential jobs.
Involving children is a brilliant idea and is important as it keeps them occupied and helps then to understand in some small way that people are making everyday sacrifices in these trying times. By focusing on how they can show their appreciation, it could also help some of them cope with not seeing family and friends. It can help them to feel not so isolated, especially if they are going for a walk, as part of their daily exercise, and they see other windows with the rainbow sign.
Friends of ours even involved the whole family cutting out hand shapes on different coloured paper and then making a large rainbow that filled the window.
We are certainly taking part in living history which is being recorded now by artists, like myself. It will be important social evidence for future generations to see how the Coronavirus of 2020 affected the people of Salford and the UK.
Anything that helps people get through it, such as art, must be a good thing. Even my father in law, who hasn't painted for about eighty years, did a couple of paintings using a pad and paint set that we bought him.
Words by Philip Westcott
To see more of Philip Westcott's ace art see www.philipwestcott.co.uk/
To see more of the Salford Art Club creations – click here
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