Banburyshire artists share lockdown experience through photographs in 'Isolation' exhibition

The show - Art in Isolation - was launched on Saturday and is an online exhibition featuring a fascinating selection of images, from the colourful rainbows thanking the NHS in windows to graffiti murals inspired by the global crisis. In this innovative way, artists have used lockdown to capture this extraordinary period in history.

While some have taken inspiration from the sense of fear and isolation felt by many, others are inspired by the heroes who have emerged during the emergency. Some works centre on lockdown itself, giving illustration to familiar themes, from boredom to stockpiling.

Viewers can click on each picture on the exhibition website (see link below) to read the story behind the image. There are some fascinating and often emotional accounts of how lockdown has affected the photographers and their families.

For example photographer Lee Atherton created montage panels depicting his lockdown life to send to clients to remind him he was there while Georgia Green, furloughed and helping her ill father with sheep shearing on the family farm, captured a beautiful rainbow.

So far the show features 50 artists with well over 100 works - and there will be more to come.

"Artists were asked to reflect on the effects that the Coronavirus has had on them as individuals and society in general, submitting up to three pieces of work to be added to the virtual exhibition," said project manager Katie Boyce.

"Alongside their artwork, they were asked to write a few words to express how they were feeling throughout the difficult and challenging time and also express how art has helped them through it.

“During our time putting the exhibition together, we have laughed, shed tears and in particular we have shared the artists' feelings.”

The exhibition can be seen here will continue online until September 5. The Friends of the Heseltine Gallery are encouraging other artists to take part and send their work to [email protected]