Stages of a pandemic, 2021

Materials: Resin, wood, photographic transparencies

Stages of a Pandemic reflects the emotional and psychological landscapes we went through during the pandemic, each stage a distinct yet interconnected chapter in the collective experience of isolation, fear, and transformation.

Stage 1: My House is on Fire – We were engulfed in fear and trauma as the world seemed to fall apart around us. Living near a hospital, the constant sirens reminded us of the rising death toll. Venturing outside, we escaped to secluded parks, wary even of nature itself. Watching my daughter run freely through these empty spaces became a rare expression of joy amidst our shared anxiety.

Stage 2: Breathing – As days blurred into each other, we felt trapped, suffocated by monotony and the weight of uncertainty. Solitude became an oppressive presence, heightening the claustrophobia of endless, identical days.

Stage 3: Breaking News – Headlines were inescapable, a relentless shower of updates that transformed "news" into a constant, unending reality. Any moments of peace felt laden with guilt, as privilege and disparity became painfully visible.

Stage 4: Transitions – Through the rituals of daily life, we started to glimpse transformations within ourselves and our families. The simple act of crossing the doorways of our home took on symbolic weight, each passage marking subtle shifts. I began to rediscover myself beyond the fear, becoming someone both familiar and changed—a ghost of who I once was, reshaped by this period.

Stage 5: Horizons – With a little bit of hope, we turned our gaze forward, with a deeper understanding of our histories. My daughter still wakes with nightmares, yet I am there to comfort her. The future remains uncertain, but we move towards it.