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World of Threads Festival

Covid Forever

2023 Exhibition: Backstage

This small group exhibition commemorated the COVID-19 pandemic. The lives of everyone in the world were disrupted, and some of us were changed forever. Cities appeared empty as the world ground to a halt. We sheltered in place. Seven million people round the world died. After three years, we now live in different worlds. For many, COVID no longer exists and life went back to "normal". Some still take precautions like masking, and the medically vulnerable continue to isolate, For others it was all a hoax. Most of us took the vaccines, while some refused. What are the long-term effects? Did the world really change, or will the Covid pandemic ultimately disappear from general consciousness like the 1918 pandemic? For some, these lock-down months - or years, were an opportunity for self-reflection, What do I really want from my life? Who do I want to spend time with? Some people changed jobs, learned new skills, or worked from home - for good. Some people were exploited for labour, while others thrived. Imagery and themes in this show include corona viruses, variants of concern, face masks, social distancing, social bubbles, isolation, mass graves and the repetitive days of lock-down. Some artists were productive during the pandemic years and were able to focus on their work. Artists are often quite happy to be alone in a room, but perhaps not that alone.

Photography by Gareth Bate and Dawne Rudman

Backstage

Festival installer Caren, installing work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Festival installer Caren, installing work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Festival installers Chris and Heidi, installing work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Festival installers Chris and Heidi, installing work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.

Curators

  • Canada: Ontario: Toronto: Gareth Bate
  • Canada: Ontario: Oakville: Dawne Rudman

 

Artists

    • Canada: British Columbia: Nelson: Maggie Tchir, Ontario: Toronto: Susan Avishai, Bernadette Badali, Tracy Gorman, Michele Guevara, Honey Mitchell, Leanne Powers, Elaine Whittaker.
    • Uruguay: Montevideo: Carrasco: Alison Schwabe.
Michele Guevara installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Michele Guevara installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Michele Guevara installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Michele Guevara installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.

Gallery

  • The Corridor Galleries at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre.

City

  • Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Dates

  • Oct. 10, 2023 - Jan. 14, 2024
Tracy Gorman installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Tracy Gorman installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Tracy Gorman installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Tracy Gorman installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Festival installers, Carol and Heidi, installing work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Festival installers, Carol and Heidi, installing work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival 2023-24.
Festival installers, Carol and Carol, installing work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival.
Festival installers, Carol and Carol, installing work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival.
Bernadette Badali installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival.
Bernadette Badali installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival.
Elaine Whittaker installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival.
Elaine Whittaker installing her work in the Covid Forever exhibition, World of Threads Festival.

Backstage

Authors