Faces Solo Exhibition at Cwtsh Gallery

Faces

Sept 4th - Oct 4th 2022

My work evolved throughout lockdown, where I found a tremendous amount of free time and lots of feelings which I needed an outlet for. Using oil pastels, I found this outlet, simply drawing my feelings as well as the emotions I felt from others. My work reflected the claustrophobic feeling of lockdown felt by my loved ones and also a deep introspection of myself. Using the bright powerful colours from the oil pastels my world seemed to come to life, it was an exciting alternate reality which I had created, something that was needed after being stuck inside. Whilst I draw people I will often talk to them in order to get a grasp of their feelings which fall into my work. The small size of my studies reflect the claustrophobic feeling, fitting a person into a small rectangle. I look at my drawings as small windows into the lives of people hidden in isolation where feelings of boredom, anxiety and loneliness are laid bare.

This was my first solo exhibition and was a reflection of how myself and others dealt with the ever changing world. ‘Faces’ of those close to me, myself, and even strangers. Art can sometimes be quite isolating, especially if I’m painting in a studio. Using oil pastel drawings helps me to connect with others through my art, something which I needed during lockdown especially. Using art as almost a form of meditation has helped me get through difficult times as I focus on drawing and seeing the world from a different perspective.