This series of work was created in response to the theme ‘Art or Agit Prop?’ in the first year of my BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing and Printmaking degree. This was during the space after the first UK Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, with the influences being very clear!

With the curveball of the corona-crisis unexpectedly affecting the way we all live and work, the ability to adapt quickly and utilise our surroundings has been key. This situation radically changed the direction, materials, and methods, regarding the theme of ‘Art or Agit Prop?’. 

My final, resolved work is a collection of four pieces, which reflect different elements of my feelings towards the whole Covid-19 situation; the selfishness and absurdity of stockpiling, the continual ordering of premium IPA to self-medicate and quieten the voices in my head, and the confusion of conflicting advice from an incompetent government. 

‘Shopping’ 

From the ‘socially-distant’ queuing outside, to the complete disregard of it once inside; the sight of shoppers in full goggles, respirator masks, and gloves, and the bare shelves and panic buying early on; something facing everyone is the reality that nothing will be returning to exactly as it was pre-lockdown. 

For those of us that have experienced the surrealness of supermarket shopping, I wanted to create a visual interpretation of how these situations make me feel. ‘Shopping’ is a mixed-media piece inspired by the kitsch style of 1950’s advertising. 

‘Wear Masks / Don’t Wear Masks’ 

This is a reaction to the confusing and contradicting advice doing the rounds regarding masks. The debate around this issue has become a ‘joke’ to me; from the online argument threads to the selfishness of people buying up large amounts to make profit from fear, not to mention the ridiculous ‘lockdown chic’ of designer masks! 

I felt the perfect agitprop canvas for this idea would be to screen print the words ‘wear your mask!’ on the front of a t-shirt, with the contradicting words ‘don’t wear your mask!’ on the back. 

‘Comfortably Numb’ 

Throughout my life I have tried many techniques to cope with issues related to my mental health. Things like CBT, counselling, anti-depressants and self-medication have all helped or hindered in some way. Sadly, I am well aware that many people have turned to alcohol during these strange and stressful times, as it is unfortunately much easier to access than mental health provisions. This piece is a darkly humorous comment on this issue. 

The title is taken from the Pink Floyd song of the same name and the font is inspired by the style of lettering used on the album ‘The Wall’. I decided to use a stencil with spray paint, to manipulate and re-brand the cardboard packaging, using their colour scheme to recreate the ink-splattered style. 

‘Mine’ 

In the early days of the crisis, I was saddened and frustrated by the selfish behaviour of some people. Fuelled by media headlines, the panic-buying and hoarding began. Bizarrely, at the top of the list, for a time, was toilet paper. This piece uses a toilet roll with a linocut stamp printed on each sheet, declaring ‘MINE!’. This is my tongue-in-cheek comment on the ridiculousness of the situation. 

I am venting my feelings, my frustrations with the situation, through art. Shouting in peoples’ faces or being stuck in an endless Facebook argument, will not get me anywhere … the message is more likely to get across in a series of tongue-in-cheek artworks. 

It is not a case of it being art or agitprop, but being both.