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Covid19 - LockDown Project

My feelings, experiences and thoughts of Lock Down during the Covid19 Pandemic.

Inspired by the initiative of two Australian artists – Kate Just and Tal Fritzpatrick - to create a square for the Global Covid19 Quilt on Instagram to reflect how we felt during this pandemic. After much thought and staring at the cross section of the Covid19 virus I could see that within it I could capture all the requirements for this project.

Constitution Hill:

Above is my final stitching piece for the Global Covid19Quilt. Now let me explain the relevance of each part of my piece.

The Red Circles are for the various levels of how the restrictions of the lockdown have made me feel, some days the walls feel a little more closed in compared to others. The Yellow spears have two meanings - one depicts that the sun still shines and that one day we may all get to enjoy this in our wonderful open spaces again; the other depicts how many people are being severely hurt by this pandemic in so far as loss of their  income, which in turn leads to starvation,  homelessness etc.

The Blue Squares are the windows we look out of and wonder what our world will be like when this is all over. The circle of Blue stitches is for our police force who are trying to keep us safe and, in our homes, however, a few of them are upsetting us with the way they are abusing the power that they have been given.

The circle of White Beads is for our emergency and health care workers who have put us above their own families and for that I am eternally grateful – THANK YOU.

The Pink stitching is for how we have stood together, supporting each other and assisting where we can and how it has united the world.

The circle of Green beads is hope for a better future and more respect being shown towards Mother Earth. Let us all do our bit to make things better.

The Spiral is for our economy, may it not spiral totally out of control. Finally, the White crosses are for those that have lost their lives and for families who have lost loved ones.


 Done by - Gail Scott Wilson

About the author

With Covid19 and the lockdown I decided it was a good time to learn new skills and stitching was something I have been wanting to do but never found the time. With the relevance of our situation I chose to do something that would capture how we feel during this pandemic and what better way than to start with the virus. I could also see the significance of each circle in the interpretation of what we are living through.  Having also always admired the incorporation of beads in the arts of African culture, I chose to put some beadwork in my piece. I really enjoyed doing this piece with much thought and gratitude.

I’ve been retired for a number of years and have spent most of my time doing street photography, especially of Johannesburg which I have developed a deep love for the city, it’s architecture and its people. I’m also passionate about the heritage of Johannesburg and am a keen collector of Johannesburg books and all things Joburg.

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