CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

The pandemic put our lives on hold because of lockdowns and travel restrictions. Everything slowed down and, as a result, we have had time (the precious asset) to consider our relationships with family and friends and how we have lived our lives until now. We have reflected on what is important to us and how we want to live our lives in the future when normalcy returns. For some this meant a profound change; for others, a repositioning of certain aspects of their lives going forward. Relationships with relatives and friends have been examined, made more vital and became closer. The artists of I Found U have found strength, support and friendship in our discussions on weekly zoom calls, which has contributed to the development of our meditations about the future, both with our own lives and the transformation of society concerning the environment, the economy and the social structure.

This exhibition comprises a group of artworks reflecting the process of meditation and self-reflection on relationships and the future that have occupied us during the pandemic. The art pieces in the exhibition are stand-ins for each artist. It is a meeting of the minds in the garden. We will be meeting each other in art form. Keeping in touch as we did was a rewarding process of exchange, and we derived much comfort and warmth from our discussions. By being “in touch” weekly, we conquered the feeling of isolation that was omnipresent worldwide. It was the best antidote to the stress of finding ourselves confined to a much smaller world with which to interact. It permitted us to maintain a new social balance with voices and pieces of information originating from diverse countries.

Artwork by Nigel Meager