Online Exhibition

Wholly Handmade, July 2020

Chritopher Julian – Artist Statement

This story isn’t new, nor does it make me unique in any way. The Pandemic hit and everything shut down. Laid off and then called back weeks later to only work part time/ intermittently with few staff and no social distance being observed. Feeling like cannon fodder working and shopping for the restaurant I work for. Masks, hand sanitizer, uneasy about the present and the future. It’s all left me feeling anxious, angry and more than a little belligerent.

July 11 – 12, 2020

Painting Inquiry

Visit the Event Online

Of course, we’re supposed to smile, roll with the punches and soldier on. I didn’t do so well with that notion. I reacted badly. I allowed the stress of the situation to interfere with my professional life – and I freaked out more than a little…. HOW DARE I – right? Like I said, it’s not a new story or a unique one – but it’s mine. This is all new territory for every one of us……. Art is a refuge for me. Even the simple act of cleaning my brushes make me calmer.

These pieces I’ve painted don’t necessarily fit together like a puzzle to represent a bigger picture or theme – well….except for the taxi cabs. The taxis for me have always represented the adventure of going somewhere else, driven by someone else. Which is the way I think we all sort of feel now. We’re all together on the ride, its crazy but somehow controlled. Someone else steering while we ride silently (or not) in the back. Not being in the driver’s seat we observe more – maybe notice streets or neighborhoods we haven’t before or took for granted….which is great, except for that nagging feeling that we should have turned left at that last intersection……..