'It Is One Of The Positives Of Lockdown' - Touring Isle Of Wight Exhibition

"It is one of the really good things to have come out of lockdown", says the Isle of Wight’s Lord-Lieutenant Susie Sheldon.

Scroll for details of the exhibitions...

The Island’s Royal Representative has thrown her weight behind a unique exhibition that has been put together by charity Independent Arts - and made possible by Islanders.

Be it paintings, photographs, poetry, music, speech, pottery, writing, crafts, projects, inventions, baking, gardening or anything else creative completed to keep spirits up during the lockdowns - as much as possible will be displayed in real life.

Looking Out From Lockdown is a physical and travelling exhibition happening from now until September at various venues to showcase the creativity of Islanders and support local businesses.

A handful of the many creations made by Islanders

Work was submitted from all corners of the Isle of Wight, from those aged seven – 77, and includes landscape paintings, sketches, sculptures, photography, as well as flower arrangements and baking!

Susie Sheldon told Isle of Wight Radio she is very excited about it because the creations are “amazing”, she said:

“I think some of the writing has been amazing, obviously that is something that is much easier to see online and might not be in the exhibition, some people have written some lovely poetry and thoughts. There have also been some great dance and music videos but of the physical crafts and pictures it is really difficult to say - there are some very artistic photos and clever photos with people representing the lockdown, I can’t say what my favourite is - there are so many wonderful things, people need to look at both the online and physical exhibitions - they are well worth seeing.”

She added:

“Sadly only around 30 or 35 items can be in the physical exhibition out of the hundreds submitted. They are so varied but I really enjoyed being involved in the project and am so grateful to all the people who have run with the idea and made it so brilliant.”

It is hoped the online gallery is here to stay and it can be built on at other times as well, Susie says there is “such potential” and says “this is one of the really good things that has come out of lockdown.”

Asked if Susie has got creative herself during the lockdown, she said:

“I am not creative I’m afraid - it is one of the skills I completely lack but I have grown lots of vegetables and done a lot in my garden so that is my effort with creativity. Mostly my job has been encouraging people, thinking of things for people to do and thanking the huge amount of people who have done amazing things.”

A handful of the many creations made by Islanders

Pieces from the online gallery can be found here

A series of summer exhibitions will take place for FREE:

• 13 – 22 July – Monkton Arts, Ryde
• 23 July – 1 August – Ventnor Fringe, Ventnor
• 17 August – 16pm-8.30pm – Evening reception at Medina Publishing, Cowes
• 23 – 27 August – Freshwater Coffee House, Freshwater
• 13 – 19 September – Independent Arts Creative Hub, Newport