Babies in Lockdown.

EXHIBITION.

The Blake Gallery, Gravesend.

Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Library Gallery.

A collection of textile and text art works created as part of ‘These 4 Walls’ in collaboration with Daisy Farris Dance Collective.

For the past two years I have been Lead Artist with Playground in Kent, leading a team of artists delivering multi-sensory sessions to babies, children, refugees and children with complex learning needs. As a visual artist this has given me an insight into the effect the pandemic has had on families with a newborn baby during this time.

In 2021 HM Government reported parental loneliness and loss of social connections had a negative impact on emotional well being and that babies born during Lockdown were significantly affected by the pandemic with no or limited social contact other than their immediate families.

I talked to parents and carers about giving birth in Lockdown and the weeks that followed as they adjusted to being a new family in such difficult times. In our initial research for These 4 Walls Daisy and I explored mental health issues experienced during the pandemic, ‘Babies in Lockdown’ focus’s on carers reflections and memories from their unique experience during Lockdown.

Funded by Arts Council England, Gravesham Borough Council.