Your World - ​A window into life since lockdown

We invited you to share aspects of your life since lockdown through art, for our first ever online exhibition. Here are some of the wonderful entries so far. To read the story behind the art, just click on the picture.

Rae Baker "Being in lockdown meant I wasn't able to do what I love, performing music in an orchestra, so I had to find a new way of finding my calm, happy place. I am very new to painting and have now formed a brand new love affair with this other form of creativity."

Lindsay Harvey "The hare is looking upward to the moon for inspiration and help. It has a family theme as that’s what matters most during these times. I couldn’t see my children as I was self isolating and missed them so much. I wrote words where the hare sits about the need for freedom, hope and the desperate want to go to the beach."

Jane Barrett "Lockdown has really highlighted how important human touch is in my relationships with my family and friends. I have so missed being able to give my parents a big hug and as lockdown eases it feels very unnatural seeing friends but not being able to be near them. I can't wait to be able to have BIG hugs with my loved ones."

Chris Cartwright "Keys and a padlock seem so relevant in this lockdown. They might sum up how you are feeling. Are you locked in, locked out or locked down?"

Georgia-Rose "I was inspired by a piece I saw in Kelly Hoppen’s home and recreated my own version. I wanted to get more creative during lockdown and had the time to do it as life had slowed down. I’ve got 3 up in my home that all fade into the colours and I’ve been doing commissions too. For the purpose of lockdown they have definitely been lockdown Pez!"

Jo-anne Tunmer "I create fused glass works and, although I’ve only been making glass for just over a year now, it’s been my lifeline in lockdown. I work full time and have 2 young girls that I’ve had to home school too. I found escaping to my studio whenever I had a rare spare moment provided me with a creative outlet, which helped me cope with life in lockdown. I've also been making fused glass kits to help occupy kids and adults whilst I haven’t been able to welcome anyone into my studio."

Jenny Thompson "I have been enjoying all the entries in the online exhibition and wanted to share my painting with you. We are hearing a lot about staying in your bubble at the moment and as I was painting this it occurred to me that I was, perhaps, trying to escape the bubble!"

Liz Gentle "It represents the social distancing, sheltering and the fear and gloom that we felt in the shut-in situation with the dangerous virus around. The picture shows the peaceful countryside beyond, where most people could escape to on their daily walks."

John Fisher "The leaves of the water lilies reached the surface and then, almost by magic, the pond started to clear to reveal - life! We have newts, pond skaters, water snails, curious mud dwelling creatures the like of which I have not seen before, and damsel and dragon flies when the weather is fine. As they say, 'If you build it, they will come'."

Katie Jones "It's been such an honour to share everyone's wonderful art and unique stories. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have! My painting sums up my experience of lockdown - part calm, mostly chaos!"

Louise Williams "The forest floor comes to life. I am in my element walking and taking photographs, especially in forest and woodland. I didn't get to see the bluebells this year but worked on this pastel painting from one of my photographs."

Debbie Shrimpton "I've worked as a fashion designer for 20 years and never experienced such challenging times in retail. Lockdown has led to me adding a new strand to my business that I run from my home in Berko. I have been providing personal commissions to illustrate people’s homes, and have also begun to Illustrate local iconic buildings such as The Gatsby and Rex to coincide with their reopening/getting back to business."

Edie Barratt "One of things I have enjoyed the most about lockdown is being able to do more art. I love painting, it makes me very happy."

Jenny Shaw "We had two cakes on two tables miles apart in the garden. Couldn’t blow the candles out in the wind. The rest of the time I’ve spent painting... Bliss..."

Teri Knowles "Since the beginning of the lockdown we have taken turns to set family challenges. Being competitive the challenges have got progressively harder. This was set by our eldest son: Draw/Paint a picture of the next eldest family member, which meant I had the task of MrK!! I found some paints and a board leftover from the children’s school days and set to. I had to use cosmetic brushes but was pleased to complete the task. (No, I didn’t win!)"

Primrose Palmer "Primrose broke the world record with Rob Biddulph when 45,000 people tuned into the world's largest online art lesson on 21 May. His videos have been a source of constant inspiration and help her relax. However, she did so many in one week that she developed a blister on her finger! Primrose says she likes doing online videos because 'they're simple and easy to draw, but you can still be creative and make up your own thing. Now I've decided I want to be a designer when I'm older."

Rosie Hodson "Having lost all my work overnight at the start of lockdown I decided to give watercolour a try. One of the things I missed most was our regular visits to our village coffee shop ‘The Hub’. So when it reopened ( for takeaways only) I was so happy I painted it!"

Max Galvin "Lockdown has been fun but there has been some disadvantages such as not seeing everyone. The advantages include playing on electronics all day and not being nagged by your teacher!"

Krystina Cheshire "Being on lockdown has given me the time and headspace to learn new techniques and experiment with different medium that I wouldn't normally try. I love using pouring acrylics, as you have very little control over the outcome. Despite it not being what I expected, I still think it's beautiful and it teaches me to remain positive and hopeful in uncertain times."

Catherine Hay "Painting offers total escape for me. I become totally submerged in the process. I wanted to paint somewhere I can’t wait to get back to. This is from a photo my husband took at Cape Cornwall last year... one of our absolute favourite places in the world!"

Chris Lewis "For me it signifies all the good and generous actions done by many despite being trapped inside."

Helen Dowley "It will always remind me of lockdown because I found it by chance on one of the many cycle rides that I’ve had the chance to do with my two boys. The bluebells smelt amazing and looked even more stunning and it was peaceful and bathed in the amazing sunshine that we’ve been so lucky to have so much during this time."

Bernadette Duffy "I haven't been able to get out recently so I have been using sketches and photos to visit my favourite places."

Skevi Brodie 'A Windy Day in Albufeira’ was created during lockdown using layers of pigmented resin and natural sand as I reminisced of my last holiday to Albufeira last year."

Lara Piercy "Being in Lockdown has given me one thing I always felt I was chasing. Time. Time to do my stuff. Time for me. Time for my artworks. The slower pace of life and just being at home all day has given me precious time to be creative. So I’ve spent the days soaking, sorting and sifting hundreds of used stamps to produce this and other collage artworks."

Julio Rafael Montero Morales "Que es aserse cargo de si mismo? Estoy convencido que no solo tiene que ver con el reconocimiento y comprensión de pagar facturas, sino también con la identificación de potencialidades y capacidades propias. Integrar ambas dimensiones, asumirse desde ambos lugares y saberse como una realidad polar y a su vez complementaria, es una de las vias que puede verse como más significativa para ello."

Jane Thorburn "This little man (and his lovely daddy) are my world in lockdown. A positive of my job disappearing has been some spare energy to finally pry my paints open for the first time since I got pregnant."

Christine Rodrigues "I have been spending a lot of time walking my dog in the local park which has many mature oak trees and a small woods. The woods have always been a focus for my work and they have become a focus for now. I have been using the shapes of the trees and including some of the living creatures that may be hidden amongst the trees and branches."

Oona Ragoonanan "My Nintendo is a thing that represents lockdown to me. I chose to do it because I play it a lot now. It means a lot to me, and I am lucky because they are out of stock."

Christine Harvey "I find both sailing and painting completely absorbing, calming and a distraction from the news. For me the lockdown has been a time for re-focusing on the things which are important. Although I haven’t been able to sail, I can paint and I am looking forward to regaining freedom and to be able to sail once again."

Roy Chapman "With the beautiful weather and having a reasonable garden it has been like an extended holiday - I really feel guilty at times. We have a large, extended family and keep in regular contact - and it is them that I worry about, and the world they will be living in. My portrait of a young girl makes me think of them, wide-eyed, looking hopefully into the future.."

Pete Greening "Lockdown hasn’t affected me an awful lot – the only difference is that instead of spending large amounts of time painting and feeling guilty about it, I no longer feel guilty! But I do miss the physical contact of hugs from my daughters, and cuddling up with the grandchildren to read books to them."

Eliza Hay "I decided to take photos of my favourite places in our garden. Having a garden has helped me feel less trapped during lockdown."

Wendy Douglas "I tried to encapsulate my thoughts associated with the sudden change from before lockdown, and life now we are in it."

Karen Martin "The sea is trapped by rocks inside the bay, which give shelter from stormy seas outside. Living on my own has its benefits but can also be very isolating. But inside my isolation I find comfort and warmth from the rocks of society that I am able to tap into with the help of social contact, my art and life itself."

Raeeka Yassaie "We are shielding and so grateful to have a garden for our toddler to wander about in. This is one of his many trips outside enjoying the flowers and venturing into flower beds."

Catherina Petit-van Hoey "‘Lockdown’ was created in the 3rd week of our confinement in an apartment in Valencia. Apart from the occasional walk to the supermarket, we were not allowed out on the streets, so we went occasionally to the roof of our building for some fresh air. We avoided going when we heard that other people were up there, which we could hear from the banging metal door upstairs. The little metal tag, which I found there, became the metal door. The fabric with the Spanish script is from a cotton bag which had paella rice in it, which grows in the Albufera National park, outside Valencia. The Valencian orange in the sky represents the surreal time we find ourselves in. The padlock shows the date we went in lockdown. The satellite disc indicates the importance of satellites, especially communication satellites. Without them we would not be able to stay in touch with family and friends in the UK."

Helen Lack "This contemporary artwork was inspired by an evening walk during lockdown. I was admiring the blend of colours in the sky. It is full of layers and texture to add movement and mood. As an artist in lockdown, I have felt it important to create scenes from nature. This has become my sanctuary and peace."

Chris Parry "An exceptionally strange bird for exceptionally strange times."

Annie McAllister "This is a quirky ink and watercolour seaside village I created during lockdown. It features shops and boats etc with the names of places I have lived and the people and animals in our house during lockdown. Downs Locksmith is a play on words - a reminder of painting this during lockdown."

Hamish Blackwood "Rather than honing in on the unpredictability and the devastation of the coronavirus in my art, I chose to concentrate on the potent, powerful strength and auspicious powers of the mythical dragon who symbolises the rejuvenation of life. This painting emphasises my curiosity, inner journey and optimism in these unprecedented times. I’d like to thank Rob Hutt who coached me through this composition."

Harry "During lockdown Harry’s become rather a prolific artist, and on this day drew a cheetah and a lion... He said he wanted to draw something from Africa!"

Mary Casserley "Shop locally - and buy your plants from Woods!"

Teresa Chlapowski "I saw on Facebook that it should be easy to regrow your own veg from leftovers, so I tried and these were the results – not very successful unfortunately. Nevertheless it pushed me to have a go at ‘painting it’ on my iPad, inspired a bit by David Hockney. Lockdown has given me time to experiment more with the tools I already have on hand, but always in too much of a hurry to try anything new!"

James Fisher "This picture is from the first of this season’s storms in Hong Kong, taken overlooking Inner Port Shelter and the town of Sai Kung. The lightning bolt is spearing into the hillside at Fei Ngo Shan (Kowloon Peak). Times like these have created an amazing opportunity to take note of our surroundings - bits that would normally pass us by. What have you noticed? "

Harper Jones "Lately, I've been going on lots of walks in the countryside with my family. It's been really fun to go to new places and see new things. This is a painting I did to remind me of our walks."

Carol Rogers "This corner of my garden has one of my own sculptures and it caught my eye on a day of strong sunlight and shadow. I love painting outside when possible. It is my ‘happy place'. "

Charlotte Vesey "One of the best things about the lockdown for me has been to watch a marvellous spring develop day by day in our garden. The picture below is the result of much experimentation and I leave the viewer to see what flowers it conjures up for them. It is entitled ‘Joy’ for the fun I had producing it."

Gaye Daniels "At the start of lockdown I was surprised at the despondency of people and how so many seemed bored - so I started doing free 30 minutes online sessions. My intention is to raise people’s spirit and judging by the comments, it seems to be working! This is 'Echoes of Fauvist trees' from one of my sessions. "

Margaret Tatton-Brown "I am cheered by the sight of flowers with hovering bees in our wildlife garden as it gives me a sense of the resilience and continuity of nature. "

Mary Greig "Please can we go out today? My dog Amy being very patient about lockdown. Amy lives in a retirement village. She is eager to go out every day to give comfort and to get hugs. Lockdown is a puzzle for her."

Catherine McLean "Life in lockdown has been very solitary for me. I’m so grateful for nature and the blessing of watching these cygnets. Keeping one’s health in mind, body and soul is vital. Stay safe."

Stephen Hill "In these strange days, everything feels a bit surreal - like the idea of Sherlock wearing the Christmas cracker-style fake nose, glasses and moustache - the exact opposite of him being a ‘master of disguise'! It’s important to keep everything as normal as possible, even though looking forwards it’s going to get pretty tough... so we all need to keep calm and carry on. It would be nice to meet up with friends in a pub and enjoy a few beers and a load of laughs!"

Gemma Pratt "Seeing rainbows in windows on my lockdown walks and runs has really kept me smiling, and it’s where the inspiration for this zine began. A little rainbow character features on every page to spread hope and keep this little rabbit family smiling. Like most of us these rabbits are baking, video calling and working out at home!"

Liz Grammenos "Since the beginning of the lockdown, I've made sure I've spent between one and two hours in my art room painting. This time has been important in keeping me focused and positive. It has also given my husband a break from me! I use acrylics and mix my colours on a tear-off palette. Instead of throwing the sheets away after use, I kept them. At the end of the first four weeks of lockdown I carefully peeled off the paint from the sheets and stuck them on a large canvas! This became LOCKDOWN VASE OF POSITIVITY!"

Ginny Ostle "I have been making colouring in sheets for my grandchildren. They choose the topic and I do the drawing, leaving the background for them to colour in. I then scan and send them for them to print at home. The lockdown has had positives!"

Rollo Predergast "My world, like so many others at this time, is very much involved in experiencing the wonderful scenery and seasonal hedgerow flowers."

Charmaine De Souza "I took painting lessons at Open Door with Louise Williams, which have paused as a result of the pandemic. I’ve been painting in lockdown and this is a Papaver poppy that flowered in my garden last week and brought me a lot of joy."

Nicci Loczy "I keep finding half-eaten pieces of fruit my son has left round the house. I figured I might as well do something useful with this pear and got the watercolours out."

Robyn West "After learning how to crochet a basket with Angela Hutchinson at Open Door last year, I have continued to experiment. Crochet has been a great distraction of late!"

Cecile "Out of darkness, light emerges - brighter days are soon within reach. Let that thought and that image lift our spirits when when we are down and perhaps feeling a little depressed."

Boden Hay "I like playing Fortnite and it helps me keep in contact with my friends. Here’s a poster I did using felt tips."

Chris Cartwright "I took a photo through a wire fence of a buttercup meadow and then painted it in watercolours. It reminds me of lockdown, but this time lockdown for buttercups!"

Louise Thompson "I go every year to paint in Cornwall in the summer, but it doesn’t look as if I’ll make it this year. Painting from a webcam is the next best thing - you can see boats and seagulls moving so it makes you feel as if you’re really there."

How to be part of the exhibition

• Anyone and everyone is welcome to submit their artwork - whatever your age or experience! 
• Paintings, sculptures, textiles, photography - anything goes - as long as you can email a photo of it (although we won't be able to show explicit images or language). 
• Email your photo to [email protected] with a line or two about what it is and why you chose to capture it in art. 
• As this is a virtual exhibition, your artwork and the description you write will be 'displayed' as Facebook and Instagram posts - and on the website.
• The online exhibition will run until Friday 26 June - though maybe longer if lots of people want to take part! 

Previous Exhibitions

Details of our previous exhibitions are available here.