The COVID Generation
Our world has been marked by traumatic times of profound loss, restricted freedoms, and widespread isolation. These challenges have cast a long shadow over the lives of all individuals, affecting their liberties in diverse and profound ways. In this body of work, we delve into the unique struggles faced by a generation of young adults.
The portraits captured here showcase students from Guernsey Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre. Traditionally, this stage of life is a period of exploration, self-discovery, education, and forging new friendships. It's a time of anticipation, as these young adults prepare to step into the world of independence, with exciting prospects like university, employment, and the allure of uncharted adventures.
However, the past 20 months have seen a postponement or drastic reduction of these experiences, leaving this generation grappling with anxiety, a deficit in social skills, a sense of lost liberties, and an overarching dread for their future.
The spectre of the pandemic, with its ever-evolving mutations and the looming threat of lockdowns and isolations, has taken a significant toll on the mental health of this generation. The uncertainty surrounding health and life itself has become a pervasive backdrop to their aspirations.
The students who participated in this project were given the opportunity to select from a palette of 20 coloured backdrops. This allowed them to be active participants in the creative process, using colour to convey their emotions.
Colour has a nuanced relationship with the human psyche. Some colour preferences are rooted in culture and society, while others are shaped by personal experiences. As we encounter different situations in our lives, our memories attach emotions to the colours associated with those experiences. Colours are an integral part of our daily environment, making it easier for us to form emotional connections with them.
In essence, this work explores the profound impact of the pandemic on the generation of young adults who have had to navigate a world filled with uncertainty, loss, and altered dreams. It also underscores the powerful role of colour in expressing and conveying emotions, drawing from both personal experiences and societal influences.