Aftermath
Sarah Peart is a photographer based in Stoke on Trent. In her work she photographed the effects that Covid and lockdown have had on her city combining street photography with portraiture. Her work shows a city that has been hit hard by the pandemic as well as a community that has been resilient, have come together and who have found time to be with family and friends as they wait for the crisis to be over. In her engagement with individuals and communities she recorded audio with those she photographed encapsulating people’s views and opinions on the pandemic and their strength in continuing their way of life as best they can.
Aftermath
by Sarah Peart
Project Statement
The year started like any other for me. Then the virus changed everything.
Our city of Stoke-On-Trent was one of the many places to come to a standstill in order to ‘flatten the curve’. It was 12 weeks later, when lock-down finally and slowly lifted. This is when I noticed a change in the city. Everywhere I looked seemed to be unfamiliar, almost abandoned. It felt like a film set without a crew. The streets haven’t been maintained, shops have vanished, our little city suddenly felt empty. This unfortunately is the reality of what happens when the city stops, we’re put on furlough or made redundant. Despite this new, slightly dysfunctional environment however, people have made the most of being in lock down, whether it’s focusing on health or family. Now with a bit of care and cautious optimism we can start to rebuild, we can start to carry out long awaited plans and slowly adjust to the new unpredictable way of life.
About the Artist
Sarah Peart is a photographer based in Stoke on Trent. In her work she photographed the effects that Covid and lockdown have had on her city combining street photography with portraiture. She is interested in social documentary, in recording the city and in supporting artists to exhibit and document their work locally.
www.s-ephotos.com
