Aftermath

Artist: Elmarie Robin
Title: Aftermath
Medium: Oil and collage on paper and canvas.
Size: 80 x 80 cm

Description:
This artwork was inspired after visiting a family member in an old age home during the pandemic. We were allowed to see her through a window, and had to stand 2,5 meters away. She reached through the burglar bars, but we could not reach out to touch her hand. That image stuck in my mind and moved my heart.

This painting portrays the effect that the pandemic and lockdown situation has on individuals around the globe, especially elderly people in old age homes or care centers. For their own safety they are isolated from friends and family, but sadly this has a devastating effect on their emotional and mental health. They long for physical touch, a hug, someone holding their hand. How ironic that reaching out and loving them could also mean their death if they get infected with the virus?

The artwork consists of pieces of paper stuck on board, and some torn off the board again. This further emphasis the feeling of lives being torn apart by the pandemic. The pieces of paper are fragmented and fragile, similar to the emotions experienced during this aftermath.