Need Some Space

by Annie Forrest from Pemberton, BC, Canada 

A daily avatar keeps the corona blues away ....

With Need Some Space, I wanted to document the alien feelings these strange days bring, the yo-yo of moods, the monotony punctuated by the inane. While so much pandemic imagery shows people in medical masks, I was interested in creating an alternative mask image that sparked joy, turning reality on its head – just as the pandemic has done to so many. I created different avatars daily as a way of exploring and understanding the new normal of the pandemic. For me the new normal meant returning home to Canada (where I haven’t lived in years) and isolating in the only place available, a one-room cabin in the mountains – cutting myself off from my friends, family, and any sense of home comforts. While this scenario had once been a fantasy, I learned it wasn’t the same when this solitary lifestyle is forced upon you unexpectedly.

The self-portraits helped me find purpose in the days which otherwise would have bled from one day to the next with little to differentiate. This outlet gave me something to plan for, a reason to look at the weather ahead, change clothes, an excuse to explore every possible scene on the property. The characters reflect my mood which ranges from moments of quiet boredom and solitude to hyper and delirious states. It was refreshing to have something to talk about with friends that wasn't anxiety inducing – and even *fun* dressing up and playing with makeup. These characters kept me company, punctuation to my days of solitude.

Through this daily creative practice, I found a deep sense of gratitude for nature and the simple things in life that bring comfort and happiness. While faced with a different set of challenges than city dwellers during this period, I feel incredibly privileged and thankful to have had such a safe and isolated space when I needed it.

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