HUNG OUT TO DRY. Bonn Square, Oxford. Nimmi Naidoo and Jill Green have created an installation in tribute to all the key workers who, by doing their job, have died of Covid-19. Key workers such as bin collectors, cleaners, care workers, bus drivers, shop workers, nurses and doctors.
The Office for National Statistics reports that in England and Wales between 9th March and 28th Decemeber 2020 883 health and social-care workers, 213 taxi cab drivers, 157 nurses, and 180 sales assistants died of Covid 19. These alone are equivalent to 4 plane crashes with no survivors. These were people just doing their job. They had no choice in going to work, often in unsafe condiitions without proper PPE.
Both Jill and Nimmi have worked in the NHS. We made this tangible tribute as we felt we owed it to our colleagues and all those who worked in close contact with the public during this highly dangerous time. We hope people will reflect on the many lives prematurely terminated; the never ending grief of their children, families, and friends; and the years unlived by so many who were just doing their job.
I am a site responsive artist. My studio nestles under the beech trees at the edge of the Wychwood Forest. My practice is one of close-noticing; I garner details. I spend time walking in the woods, gathering material I use to make pigment. Much time is spent lying in a hammock, it is time to dream, to listen, to let my imagination wonder.
I make work based of my experience of being, being where I am. The work takes a variety of visible forms - text-based work, sound-art, installations, live performance, and videos.
I also make socially engaged participatory events. I have created events as Artist in Residence at Bridewell Organic Gardens, and as one of the Mappists.
I am currently one of the Artists in Residence at the Wychwood Project developing a map of favourite places and personal walks in the Wychwood Forest.