‘Can I Use Your Window?’ Exhibition

During deepest darkest lockdown here in the UK, I came across a post on the Bristol Creatives Facebook page by a local artist and curator, Emily Juliet Stevens. Emily had the rather brilliant idea of asking hospitality venues - restaurants, pubs and coffee shops, all of which were closed, if they’d be willing to display local artists’ work in their windows at this time. Many local establishments got involved, Bristol being the wonderfully creative and expressive place that it is. The post I saw on Facebook was the artist open call for submissions, to take part in the exhibition. Of course I got on board with this!

I had a think about what to submit, and then had a flash of inspiration while doing the thank-you clap for the NHS, which happened here at 8pm every Thursday during April and May.

Many people were using the rainbow as a symbol of thanks to the NHS, and creating pictures of rainbows to hang in their windows at home. I decided to run with this topical theme and created 4 pieces of work using the rainbow colour spectrum, which worked really well in alcohol inks because of the way they blend together.

I designed four different compositions, trying slightly different inky techniques for each one. Once I’d finished the pieces, I set them out in front of me and had a think about what to call them. I knew I’d be getting prints made instead of hanging the originals, and the prints would have a border around them where I could detail my website and the name of each piece.

I’ve always found rainbows incredibly symbolic, and looking at these four pieces of work I knew to call them Peace, Hope, Trust and Strength, with the name ‘After The Storm’ for the collection of four. I felt that during this strange and challenging phase in human history, all of us, as well as the NHS and key workers, could all do with a little bit of each! I hope that they brightened someone’s day, while they were in situ at the fabulous Alma Tavern and Theatre in Clifton, where they were hung.

Big thanks to Emily at www.emilyjulietstevens.weebly.com

The Alma Tavern and Theatre at www.almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

and 212 Productions Artist Printers at www.212productions.co.uk