Drawing, Well-being and the Exploration of Everyday Place: 228 Sketches of Clifton Street

Over 200 observational drawings from the same window capture life in an ordinary English street during the pandemic, offering a qualitative insight into the individual and collective experience and place-specific impacts of the lockdown. Five themes highlight environmental and social factors influencing daily life, and the benefits of drawing practice in mindful awareness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 500 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2024
Publisher: Intellect Books

Over 200 meticulously crafted observational drawings are produced every single day, capturing the essence of life on an ordinary English street during extraordinary times. This visual record, accompanied by thoughtful prose, serves as a profound exploration of place, nature, community, time, and mental well-being. Through this qualitative endeavor, we gain invaluable insights into the individual and collective experiences, as well as the specific impacts of the pandemic, contrasting with the quantitative statistics commonly featured in daily media coverage and scientific discussions surrounding lockdown measures.

Five central themes emerge from the drawings, shedding light on the environmental and social factors that shape daily life and the ways in which they can be observed and documented through observational drawing:

'Framing Space' emphasizes the significance of windows as the intermediaries between the interior and exterior realms, highlighting their role in shaping our perception and connection with the surrounding environment.

'Observing Nature and the Built Environment' celebrates the street and garden as sites of human-nature relations that foster well-being and provide a respite from the urban chaos. It explores the interplay between humans and the natural world, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a harmonious relationship.

'Watching People' focuses on the activities and behaviors that characterize life under lockdown, including moments of isolation, socially distanced interactions, and remote work. It sheds light on the challenges and adaptations individuals have made to navigate this unique period.

'Drawing Reflects on the Multiple Professional and Personal Benefits of Drawing' explores the therapeutic and expressive qualities of drawing, highlighting its role in promoting mindfulness, self-reflection, and personal growth.

Throughout the drawings, mindful awareness is emphasized, affirming the value of appreciating the ordinary aspects of life through the practice of drawing.

This captivating visual record and accompanying prose offer a unique perspective on the pandemic, providing a deeper understanding of the individual and collective experiences, as well as the environmental and social factors that have influenced our lives during this extraordinary time.

Weight: 762g
Dimension: 153 x 217 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789388206