Hows it going Esther?
All good. I’ve been home schooling which provides structure and cooking three meals a day which provides the need for frequent exercise.
What is your living situation? Do you have outside space or are you living in an underground bunker?
I live in Sunny East Belfast in a 1920’s semi with my family. We have food, shelter, great neighbours and a big garden where we grow things and watch the birds bicker and bathe.
How has the pandemic effected your arts practice?
I can’t go to my studio, which was a huge shock at first. Not having that dedicated space to indulge my creativity is a massive blow.
At the beginning of March I began work on a studio refit to help upscale my practice and output. But Instead I’m back home where I started with my sketch books and paintbox, pawing the dog eared covers of exhibition guides and art books.
It’s tempting right now to question one’s career and to feel uncertain, especially when your professional skills don’t fall under the ‘Key Workers’ category. Despite this I’ve taken the time to appreciate what I have, to reflect and set new goals.
How are you coping with the temporary closing of the Vault?
I miss the chance encounters with creative people, the water cooler moment and coffee encounters, every day is different at Vault, they have the potential of taking very interesting twists and turns, some rabbit holes proving more fruitful than others.
Most of all I miss the unpredictable environment where there is no normal, it makes you resilient and adaptable which can be a useful skill in these weird times.
What do you appreciate during lockdown?
Community, family and creativity, but mostly I appreciate the time to pause and re-evaluate the important things in life.
How do you imagine the future after lockdown? For yourself and the wider art world in general.
Artists always find a means and a way, that’s our thing and we’ll keep doing it. However I fear that after the great ‘Lock In’ some of us will no longer be artists. The sector was already experiencing huge blows before Covid-19.
Each artist plays a diverse and necessary part in contributing to the overall health, development, and well-being of our society. Artist provide our communities with joy, and inspiration, enabling steps toward meaningful social progress.
So I imagine a future where artists can thrive and where the provision of the arts within Northern Ireland are valued and respected.
Where can people find you online?
@estherokelly