CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNING
The art shown in this exhibition contains strong and challenging imagery, including some depictions of sexual references and isolation, which some viewers may find distressing.
PRIVATE DELIGHT
“Sometimes, the simple things are more fun and meaningful than all the banquets in the world” E.A. Bucchianeri
A new exhibition PRIVATE DELIGHT explores the concept of our imagination in relation to our experiences of covid and isolation. The indulgences and pleasures of indoor activities, the treasuring of the private and the personal. This exhibition includes the works of 6 emerging artists: Michalina Marciniec, Zoro Mukondo, Izi Rose, Juan C Ramirez, Emily Breakell and Alfie Lucas. The works are being displayed virtually so you can explore them from the comfort of your own home.
The exhibition is inspired by the current Covid-19 pandemic, offering unique perspectives and fresh contexts to better understand our surroundings during these times. The artworks convey themes from hope to fear as well as positivity and desperation - expressing and exploring both our shared and individual experiences of lockdown.
The virus, though splitting people apart, also brings us together through sharing artwork and creativity. The arts help people to cope in dark times, encouraging us to use our time to connect to each other and the world.
 This artwork, produced by Michalina Marciniec, engulfs the viewer in a curious wonderland of unlikely juxtapositions, attempting to recreate the fantastical state of mind while asleep. Here, she introduces a new technique in her practice, a digital creation, inspired by vintage post-war collages. |  |  Take Me To The Future is a vivid depiction of various objects of admiration and wonder that occupied the eye and mind whilst caught up in a time of stillness. Like a fever dream, its chaotic state of uneasiness and anticipation longs for peace that is to come. |  |
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 Deep Within symbolises isolation and despair, that behind a facade there is misery inside. This artwork unpicks the chaos that can come with the uttermost perfection - beauty. |  Produced by Alfie Lucas, ‘Accidental System’ was created by the inspiration of home grown eco systems, contrasted with toxic substances. It visually portrays the reminiscent delight personally felt between the good, the bad and the artist. Oil paint, ink, marker pen, bleach and water on recycled fabric. |  I wanted to frame escapism as inner discovery. Perhaps we're not running from ourselves or our situation. Instead, maybe we're cultivating and exploring our imagination and unrecognised parts of ourselves? |  Inspired by Friday nights indoors, eating love heart sweets. |
 Somewhere, Nowhere is a digital escape created to emulate peace and serenity through Zoro's eyes. An unbothered destination, accompanied by comfort, the ocean and a hot chocolate. |  Love for syringes is a photograph portraying a man and his desire and love for cosmetic surgery, to the point where ruining his face bring pleasure to his soul. |  Merging my real life space with 3D versions of it, the current world climate has forced me to explore a method of escapism similar to my real life that feels normal. There is an emphasis on my bed and my space being my sanctuary, away from the dangers of being outside. |  This painting is supposed to highlight the small pleasures in life, for example here they are on a car journey with no journey ahead planned. Private delights can be shared with the people close to us and this is displaying just this. |
 As energy is continually emitted and absorbed by every physical object to exist, I am using my own body to be used as a physical conductor for them to pass through. This continual process is inevitable, and so can be treated as an experience everyone unavoidable indulges in their lives. The energies in the chosen work represent heat and how heat affects the body as it enters it, leaving an impact uncontrollable by the person themselves. The heat energy acts as its own physical entity changing an |  You’re lying if you say you haven’t masturbated more during the lockdowns. Even The Sun Online tells us to “Masturbate during coronavirus lockdown to ‘boost your immune system and fight off infection’”. The most private of delights enjoyed by everyone. This piece takes the opportunity to make people uncomfortable with the view of an enlarged vulva with proof of female masturbation; cum. Because yes, women wank too. |  This piece is about the use of drag and makeup as a form of escape from the mundane; it's about alter egos providing an important relief from the real world. |
