A bored doodle that became a mixed media, interactive art work and print.
In March 2020, the UK went into lockdown as a result of the Covid-19 virus. As part of a daily structure I imposed on myself in a bid to avoid lockdown insanity, I included a time in the day for drawing.
I posted a photo of the finished doodles on my Facebook and Instagram feeds for a laugh. With an accompanying message, reading: ‘Guess the famous PPE wearer #draweveryday #badly’ as an acknowledgement of the dubious likeness.
After a few posts, it became apparent that the drawings themselves were only part of the series. It was an art quiz, where the imaginative responses, humorous conversations and daft mock prizes awarded were at least as important, if not more so. It was a bit of silly during an otherwise serious and testing time. It did wonders for my mental health. And the posts seemed to become a part of other people’s daily lockdown routine, too.
The Famous PPE-ople project continued until early July and resumed during the November lockdown. And I was persuaded to make a print of the drawings. Each print came with an accompanying essay and a key to each drawing with the all the correct and incorrect answers included. With all profits from sales going to my local homeless charity.
To date, the print adorns the toilet walls of over 100 homes across the UK, US, Australia and Poland.

Winner – Sweet FA Freelancer Awards 2020