Reflecting over the last six months, Kerry Zacharia, a London-born artist of Greek-Cypriot ethnicity, talked to Occhi Magazine about how the first national lockdown of our lifetime positively inspired her creative mind. Kerry usually explores the creative relationship between her inner and outer environment based on her past or present experiences.
Kerry described the sudden changes that fell upon us as “unimaginable”. Everyday life as she knew it ceased and uncertainty and fear took on a life of their own, at times the odd behaviors of others seeming so surreal. When faced with the un-comprehendible she said it felt as though her environment came to a standstill whilst her mind was racing full speed ahead. She found comfort in her day by reconciling her mind with nature and oddly enough the stillness and silence around her became calming and soothing.
Naturally, she was inspired to immortalize these moments through her creative vision in a series of thought-provoking contemporary paintings. The first in the series, ‘Nature’s Blue’ captured the vivid blue skies that she would often look up at in the stillness of the day and only hear birds singing.
Another extraordinary and positive outcome she thought was how human nature adapts and responds to challenging times and took comfort in these thoughts. There was so much kindness and support flowing from external sources generating unprecedented positive energy and feeling that only good could follow from this devastation of life and its means of existence. The second painting, ‘After the Storm’ was inspired by a remarkable man who captured the heart of the nation, Sir Colonel Tom Moore who said, “after the storm, there will be a golden sky”. She took great pride in creating it and believing in its positive message.
Despite the months of isolation and shielding other than going out for exercise, Kerry adapted and felt grateful for the good in her life and the wellness of her family. The last painting in the series, completed in August, is ‘Storm of Hope’. Kerry told us that this was her way of capturing the ‘hope’ of many people that came with the many months of learning to live life differently.
As the winter months approach many of us around the globe and the newness of the situation has waned, life feels to have become more difficult. Kerry wonders if her art would continue to project such positive energy during this next phase.
Kerry, renowned for her London inspired art, is often described as having a different and unique style. Her line style and use of ink on paper has set her aside in her short time as a practicing artist and Occhi Magazine looks forward to seeing how her art evolves. We join Kerry to celebrate her art practice that is now in its seventh year. For further information on Kerry, please visit https://www.artistkerryzacharia.com/ or her social media links via @artistkz64
Images :
- Natures Blue (56cm x 56 cm)
- Storm of Hope (56cm x 56 cm)
- After the Storm (56cm x 56 cm)
Copyright and courtesy of Kerry Zacharia
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