Lockdown life in Wolverhampton captured on canvas by inspired artist Lindsay

Lindsay Pritchard’s 'Two Trolleys Apart' has been selected by The New Art Gallery Walsall for its new Twenty Twenty Collection commemorating a period “which has impacted on everyone’s lives”.

Lindsay, 49, was queuing outside Sainsbury’s at St John’s in Wolverhampton when she decided to paint what she was witnessing.

Queues wound around the car park at the store, off the city's ring road, especially during the height of the first lockdown last summer.

The artist said she was struck by the way people's behaviour had changed during the pandemic.

She said: “It was not long into lockdown and I noticed for a few weeks that people were all patiently waiting at shops. A man before me in a yellow top caught my attention – he was queueing but in his own way, rebelling almost.

“I have generally got a sketchbook with me and thought ‘I have got to do this queue’. I made a quick sketch and took a photo.

“Everyone had their back to me so they could not be identified – I am careful about that. I then decided to make it into a painting.”

Lindsay, who lives in Finchfield, is a professional artist and likes doing urban sketches. She works out of a studio at Newhampton Arts Centre in Wolverhampton which she shares with three other artists.

She has been busy through the pandemic, capturing images from an extraordinary year. Man concentrate on the simple friendly gestures of strangers, including a box of books and other items complete with a sign urging people to help themselves

She said: “We run a group for people with learning disabilities.We had an exhibition of their work at Bilston Art Gallery in 2019.”

Lindsay also works part-time as a specialist mentor for students meeting them online over Zoom, and runs art workshops at schools and with vulnerable adults. She said: “I am a big believer in art therapy and how it can benefit a person and their mental health."

In January, The New Art Gallery Walsall appealed for works of art created in response to the events of 2020 - the pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement and Brexit - to feature in an exhibition.

From 220 submissions they chose 33 works by 31 West Midlands-based artists which will be profiled on the gallery’s website and social media channels this year, and exhibited at the gallery in early 2022.

Lindsay said: “I had done the Two Trolleys Apart painting and submitted it. I was fortunate to be chosen – I am delighted.

“The gallery is planning an exhibition which is great as everyone will be able to see it.

“It will be lovely to see it displayed especially as I have had no exhibitions for 12 months – it will be nice to have an opening to attend.”

For more information about her artwork visit Lindsay’s Facebook page or website at www.lindsaypritchardart.co.uk.