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Artists post lockdown - An interview with Guy Denning
Many artists nationwide have been affected by lockdown in different ways with some finding it has been creatively restricting. Hartlepool Gallery wanted to touch base with four artist whom the gallery has had the pleasure of working with to ask if this has been the case for them.
Gallery
Hi Guy, can you tell me a little about your work for people reading who may not have be aware?
Artist
I’m an english artist who’s been living and working in France for the last thirteen years. I was making political, punk, text graffiti in the early 80s as well as trying to establish a career as a visual artist (without, at the time, seeing any connection between these two parts of my life). My work came to wider attention when a certain vandal in Bristol started making political art on city walls fashionable… A couple of galleries that knew of my work contacted me and I was dragged into the fold of ‘urban art’.
Gallery
In light of the current crisis, how has this impacted the way you work and how you have stayed motivated?
Artist
The main impact the virus crisis had on my work was to immediately lead to the cancellation of all exhibitions. This left me with time to spare so I decided to rebuild my studio. I’ve been essentially working in an unheated, uninsulated barn-like building for twelve years. Now I have a work space that is more suited to an artist that wants at least the comforts of not having to paint in a parka and scarf in the winter!
Gallery
To what extent has your everyday life as an artist changed pre and post lock down?
Artist
My work life was always fairly independent and pretty much a lone pursuit. There’s no change in that to be honest. If anything, in stopping other people visiting, it has actually increased my time available to make art.
Gallery
Has your online presence been helpful?
Artist
I’ve always valued my online presence. Since I discovered the internet in the early 90s I’ve always considered it an essential tool for anyone in a creative field who felt excluded from the usual avenues of exhibition/performance etc… There may be more competition in finding and keeping an audience but at least the tools are generally available to all.
Gallery
Has there been any positives from working in new or different ways?
Artist
Having just more time to prepare and work has enabled me to make more fuller exhibitions in terms of supporting material. I’m now considering adding my writing (poetry) and attempts at electronic music soundscapes to all future exhibitions and street murals.
Gallery
Has COVID changed your work in any way?
Artist
It’s knocked the exhibition plans for six. The shows planned for the first part of the year were cancelled or postponed but they seem to be coming back on track now. The galleries obviously need to get people in their doors so they’re making the changes the medical advice demands to be able to continue their businesses.
Gallery
Do you have any future exhibitions planned and anything we should be looking out for?
Artist
There’s nothing planned for the UK at the moment but I’ve a few lined up for France. It’s all focusing on the issue of climate change which is becoming increasingly urgent, and worryingly sidelined by governments who are increasingly focusing on covid 19 alone. I post all my show work on social media and there’s always a full description of each projects work on my main website.