A Paradigm Shift

As with most people, the pandemic has had a profound effect on my perspective on just about everything. I have found myself questioning things that I always took for granted and reevaluating what is really truly important. Early on, I became more and more worried about the effect covid was having on a whole generation of children. As a former teacher, a mother and grandmother, I have spent a lot of my heart and soul nurturing young humans and helping them grow into adulthood. Kids are a very vulnerable group. Children rely on community to withstand displacement and disruption. When a child enters school they have certain expectations for how things will go. Even when things are rough at home, or perhaps the family falls apart or becomes unhoused, they still can expect the routine of school, the safety of other adults in their lives and the support of their peergroup. Only with them can they be their own age, role play and learn how to be in the world. For a little while they can escape the stresses of the adult world and just be themselves. Of course they have challenges and tragedies in school, but they also find stability, joy, humor and imagination. As much as I know the importance of closing of schools, masking and distancing, I fear the repercussions on our youth. I mourn the loss of trust. I regret the fear that has permeated our lives. These three paintings address the isolation and disruption the pandemic is having on childhood. Deconstructing The Future: Yellow is in a new show called Children 2021 produced by Gallerium at this link: https://www.gallerium.art/p/children-2021.html My exhibition page is at this link: https://www.gallerium.art/children-2021?name=nancy-watterson