Social Distancing #109
Sophie Gouk @sophiegouk
Dumfries. June, 2020

“IN THE FACE OF CORONA
I wanted to comment on this invisible monster we face every day and live in fear of. I also want to try and switch it around so we can see it in a more positive light. To utilise this time for personal development, caring and treasuring our loved ones without taking them for granted, learning a new skill or developing our passions as we move forward. These are intense times and the pain is raw and written all over our faces as we venture out to go shopping, make journeys on the trains, going for a daily stroll, you can see the fear in people’s eyes. 
This paint is also to represent the kind of creativity we can achieve during this time of isolation and lockdown. I started painting my face a lot more and have found a new way of keeping myself happy, embodying different creatures to transport myself somewhere else. It’s been a really great way to connect and inspire folks and friends online.
The bat is to represent our lack of respect for nature and the disregard for their lives. Perhaps we need to focus on working in harmony with nature instead of trying to control and change it. 
I really like this poem by Leslie Dwight. It really made me think of this situation in a new light; ‘ What if 2020 isn’t cancelled?
What if 2020 is the year we’ve all been waiting for?
A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw-
That it finally forces us to grow.
A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us from our ignorant slumber.
A year we finally accept the need for change,
Declare change, work change,
Become the change.
A year we can finally band together, 
Instead of pushing each other further apart.
2020 isn’t cancelled,
But rather the most important year of them all.’ “ - Sophie Gouk .