Lockdown2020 — zakwaters

Lockdown Stories 2020 - under the first lockdown in the spring of 2020 I created a series of 150 portraits, that depicted a selection of essential workers and residents mainly confined indoors in and around Folkestone, Kent.

These audio recordings are an ongoing documentation of the residents and workers I photographed. In 2022 I asked them to reflect back on the 2020 lockdown and tell me their story.

Thank you to Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP) and The Arts Council England for supporting this project.

Thank you to Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP) and The Arts Council England for supporting this stage of the project.

The Arts Council: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/
DYCP: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/dycp

Amanda and Terrance.
“During lockdown it was pretty much me and my son, as my partner worked days and days on end. We live in a communal flat block on the very top floor. The front door is almost locking us away from the world, when we went out we felt almost free. Free from being locked' in and free from lots of schoolwork! I’ve felt more anxious than I ever have before. My stress levels rocketed. Home schooling was difficult, but our bond became really strong as we were in this together.”

Jan & John.
“During the first lockdown my husband had a minor heart attack. He was whisked off to hospital; I was left here of course not knowing what would happen, and he was in there for two weeks. I couldn’t go and visit him, and I found it incredibly hard. I honestly thought I would never see him again.”

Theresa. “I am an unpaid carer who actually needs a carer myself. Covid has exacerbated every single thing in my life on a daily basis.”

Tess.
“The day of the lockdown everything changed for everybody. The way we shopped, the way we see each other and the way we do things.”

Rosanne, Shelley and Elliot.
“I have lost a sense of safety that things are generally ok. I think that some of the insecurity is new especially with Brexit and everything that has been happening this year.”

John and Kaz.
“Isolation, loneliness, and separation from people. Being told that you can’t do anything you normally do in your normal life had a massive impact on my mental health.”

Linda & Chris. “My employer said you don’t need to work full time if you have caring responsibilities, but our workload had gone up. So I didn’t have to be present at work, but I had all this work to do as well as home schooling.”

All images are copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without written permission. All Rights Reserved. ©Zak Waters 2022

All images are copyright and may not be copied
or reproduced without written permission.
All Rights Reserved.
©Zak Waters 2022