Still Life in Lockdown
collages by Jacqui Mair
Opening midday Saturday 4th July 2020
Exhibition 4th July to 1st August 2020
We are open Wednesday to Saturday 12-5pm
If you wish to make an appointment for a private visit
contact the Gallery and we will try to accommodate you
“Bloomsbury seeped into my soul thirty years ago and it’s never gone away”
“Like many artists I have had my share of exhibitions postponed, my collages stacked in the corner waiting for new homes to go to, my moments of sadness at what to do next, Lockdown came too suddenly and there was the moment that life was taken out of our hands and it changed for ever. The world stopped in a heartbeat and we were left reeling at what do next. I feel lucky my studio, my sketchbook and my paper and paints have been my solace, the escape to the attic to snip another piece of paper. As the days turned to weeks and the weeks to months I have only my sketchbook as a diary, the calendar in the kitchen lays empty broken only by the reminder of the ringing of the bell on a Thursday. My petticoat garden blossomed with the blue-sky sunshine, the birds returned; the birdsong woke me instead of the cars. I really didn’t miss the cars, the food smells, the blaring of music, the shouting of youth, the turning out of pubs, time and nowhere to go was really not a problem. I have sat and observed the robin feeding its baby, the blue tits flitting backwards and forwards and realised that as time passed slowly it passes with time for us to watch and stare. My home has become my museum; my gallery of inspiration and my objects have found themselves into new work. The forty jugs have come into their own and the flowers and the birds from the garden have sneaked in too. Some days have been harder, glummer, more despairing and sad. Tears have been replaced with smiles and the studio has saved me more than once, still life had become still life.” Jacqui Mair June 2020
There is nothing quite like coming into a gallery space to see a body of work beautifully hung, each piece informing the other, each playing a part in a visual lockdown diary. The surfaces of Jacqui’s still lives have depth, layer, texture and exquisite fine detail that should be seen but I am aware that many of you won’t be able to come to the exhibition and because of this I have endeavoured to make sure that each and every item that goes on show in the gallery is available to view here on the website in advance of the opening date and Jacqui’s accompanying commentary overlaying each image is an insight into her thoughts and feelings during lockdown. Should you wish to buy I have created a gallery shop online here or you can contact me by email info@jachousegallery.co.uk or by telephone 07503152848.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: MEET the ARTIST Jacqui Mair will be in the gallery doing some work with collage on Friday 17th July 2-5pm.
