In early 2020, the coronavirus known as the COVID19 variant swept across the globe. It was a time of great confusion, uncertainty and fear spread faster than the virus, at times.  Pandemics require rules. Rules necessarily, or sometimes unnecessarily, impinge on individual freedoms. Almost overnight, we became subject to random and often contradictory rules, or laws. We experienced this globally, with the implementation of hastily enacted laws and rules. Soon curfews, restrictions, patrols and edicts further codified and restricted everything that we did. Police, relieved of many of their other duties, appeared in numbers on our now deserted streets. Even the army assisted in a form of undeclared martial law.

 

Borders were closed and left many people homeless, or effectively state-less. The unvaccinated lost their right to employment and were dismissed. The experimental vaccine did not protect against subsequent infection with the COVID19 virus.

 

This was a pandemic and we soon learned that we were no longer in a place of due process, or transparency of governance. Gradually, we became accustomed to this ramped-up requirement for greater and greater control. Often, this seemed to be without any real sense of the implications, or effects of these 'rules' on the needs and lives of individuals. The pandemic often appeared to became a vehicle for excessive surveillance and our individual rights were swept away, without consultation. Often without logic, or any justification, or explanation.

Elderly people were locked in aged-care facilities, without access to intensive care. Passengers were unable to disembark from cruise ships and died, without specialist medical care, as the virus spread throughout the ship. Citizens were prohibited from returning home

​

The COVID19 virus, as dictated to citizens by the powers that be, impacted almost every aspect of our lives. This often occurred in a seemingly haphazard and random fashion.

 

Confined to our homes, with our waking hours locked down and defined by Pandemic Laws, for months on end. Many of us sought any form of distraction available. We were allowed to leave our homes for essential tasks, such as shopping, exercise and some forms of medical care. At times we were required to lockdown, restricted to travel within our neighbourhoods and to only have contact with those who shared our household.  

​

We sought out spaces that allowed us to escape from our shrinking worlds.

 

My basement became not just my art studio, it became a form of refuge and escape- soon it transformed into my dance space.