Last month Wolverhampton Art Gallery and City of Wolverhampton Council Library Services invited the city’s public to submit images of their lockdown-inspired creations to be included in a special online exhibition entitled Art in Lockdown.
The venture was inspired by Wolverhampton-based artist and illustrator Ed Isaacs, who has been creating artworks capturing scenes from his immediate surroundings and daily life in lockdown to share on his social media channels.
There have been over 250 submissions from 161 people who live, work or study in Wolverhampton, covering a range of themes.
Due to the overwhelming response a selection of the art work supplied has been split into nine categories: 3D and Mixed Media, Abstract, Figures, Natural World, Portraits, Series and Sequences, Still Life, Urban Landscape Interiors and Words and Music.
The number of categories show that lockdown has affected individuals and households in a range of different ways.
The submissions, including drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, writing and music, can be seen at www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/artinlockdown/ and will act as a visual archive for the city.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield, said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the response that we have had from the people of Wolverhampton and thank everyone who has submitted a piece.
“We have received a real mix of art work and hope everyone takes the time to view the exhibition online and relate to how the lockdown has inspired them.”
Once lockdown has been lifted and the city’s cultural venues and libraries are open to the public, City of Wolverhampton Council hopes to host the exhibition at one of its venues.
During this time of self-isolation, social distancing and home schooling the Wolverhampton Arts and Culture team and council library services have prepared some online resources that you can turn to for inspiration. Visit www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/collections/free-online-resources/ or the Wolverhampton Library Services social media channels to find out more.
