SAL LONGHURST ART

The Covid pandemic caused me to reflect on breath and breathing and how difficult that was for some. Through my work I explore the feeling of not being able to easily take that next breath. Since researching the subject I have realisedthat the distribution of the disease has a relationship with a person's social and economic standing and that this is also true of other diseases that affect breathing such as asthma and C.O.P.D. (Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease.) I would like my work to give the viewer space to contemplate these issues. 

Ash dieback is a disease affecting our native Ash trees. The disease is thought to have been exacerbated by climate change and it may result in the loss of 80% of our Ash trees. (The Woodland Trust) I wanted to highlight this issue as it is particularly prevalent in the South Downs where I live. 

I have spent a large part of my life working in early years education. (Children from two to five years old.) I have observed many relationships between parents, (carers) and children most of which have been positive. I wanted to give voice to children for whom this relationship is not necessarily easy or intuitive. 

We all need to communicate but that is not always easy. In this series of work I have explored that concept through the use of visual communication methods such as Braille and Morse code and Makaton. 

In these drawings, I have used my body to investigate the space around me. Exploring my own reach and my relationship with materials that could have been used by our ancestors.

I enjoy exploring my surroundings through drawing . Here, I have used my sense of hearing. Drawing with my eyes closed and making intuitive marks. Alternatively, I use found materials such as, in this case, Ginko Biloba leaves. I was fascinated by the fact that this species of tree first appeared 290 million years ago and yet here it was in the garden I was visiting.