The Pandemic Project

Cat Sivertsen

This project captures the aspects of life faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most impactful experiences in recent human history.

About the Exhibition

As one of the most impactful experiences in recent human history it was important for Two Rivers Gallery to document this experience.

In April 2020, Two Rivers Gallery invited Bill Horne & Claire Kujundzic, in Wells, BC; Cat Sivertsen in Prince George, BC; Jordan Schwab and Karla Griffin in Quesnel, BC and Catherine Blakburn, in Thornhill, BC to produce artwork that captured aspects of life faced during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Horne, Kujundzic and Sivertsen in response to the isolation of a world shut down reached out to people and communities pursuing human connection, support and collaboration. Schwab and Griffin developed a collaborative video work focused around their desire to visit parts of the world rendered inaccessible during the pandemic. Catherine Blackburn’s introspective work considered aspects of isolation and the precious companionship shared, often online, over cups of tea. While these works are born of personal experiences, each artist’s work is likely to resonate broadly with viewers. A year into the pandemic we can easily recognize a yearning for the human connection we previously took for granted, and the deep longing for the resumption of normalcy.

April 27, 2020

Coming to some sort of idea about the Covid project – I knew immediately that this was really beyond just me, beyond my current place in self and isolation. I feel somewhat guilty that I’m getting this opportunity and not others who work hard (on a daily basis) – dare I say harder than I do… I did talk to someone about this and she said first of all that I deserve this, then she corrected herself saying that I’ve worked hard for this – perhaps harder as I’m working on my practice and have a full-time job.

We also talked about my idea and she reminded me that when we were kids we weren’t allowed to invite everyone we knew we had to choose … and again I feel bad (perhaps even guilty – why am I feeling that?) that I’m not asking everyone I know – perhaps too close, too knowing, too complacent in relationship, too narrow and living the same existence I am in this already isolated place now more so as we are locked in it together.

I have an opportunity to reach out beyond this place to another time and place where adventure, risk and play were par for the course – actually normal – didn’t even think of it as extra-ordinary… and of course on reflection especially at this time it was extra-ordinary, magical, adventurous and exciting. Looking outside of my current existence to a wider perspective is perhaps looking at the macro rather than focusing in on the micro – the economics of the thing as a condition of my isolation. I just want to break free back to the imaginings of adventure, of journey, of new and exciting … of before.

I remembered my vision.

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Gunhild Lorenzen, 2020

The Covidian Garden Party, Andy Kirkby, 2020

May 26, 2020

Completed all the invites last week to the Covidian Garden Party … and have since been living in doubt – reminiscent of being a kid hoping everyone will say yes and will come to the party … and if they do will they have a good time, will I be ready, will they understand that this is no ordinary party, will it be good enough, will it come across as trite, kitch, will it ‘taste’ good or be blasé … what am I supposed to wear, do, say, be… am I a fly on the wall watching, listening, learning or am I the connector – do I offer my ideas or is this it.

Jeez so much contradictory thinking, dreaming, nightmare(ing) – is it all irrelevant or full of crap. Who really cares especially now that the MayDay Bloody weekend is near and as far as our government is concerned we can assume the position – back to normal – within reason – small groups – up to 6 people – socially distanced, ‘gloved’ up so to speak with masks (no laughing showing teeth cause they could be dangerous), sanitizer (on hands – don’t drink it), no touching/hugging/reaching out – stay in your bubble but you can go out but only for day trips … I think not … don’t let covid ruin your long weekend – play safe, be safe, and whatever you do be kind because God only knows we are all in this together……… alone but together … and I’m one of the lucky ones.

I hope they’ll come to the party which is realizing itself more and more as a wake.

The yellow bi-plane cut across this blue blazer of a day.

The Covidian Garden Party
Alicia Proudfoot
2020

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Barbara Scholz, 2020

June 18, 2020

The garden is finally growing, the guests are starting to arrive – I resist greeting them until they are all present – I wait in wonderous anticipation – what a ridiculous word wonderous is – how to describe excitement, anxiety, anticipation, dreaming, ready not ready, avoiding … the end.

The Covidian Garden Party, Kim Gullion, 2020

The Covidian Garden Party
Fran Quinlan
2020

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Graham Snow, 2020

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Lucy Strachan, 2020

June 29, 2020

I’m in limbo. I haven’t seen the yellow bi-plane in awhile.

July 1, 2020

I’m waiting, anticipating, preparations are almost complete, I have a plan, I have new tech and I started the drawings… but are they relevant, like preparing unnecessary food, is it over the top, is it out of love or panic that I’m (its) not enough.

July 5, 2020

Away for a week during the rains and the garden bolted out of control – beyond its parameters and over her boundaries – she’s telling me it’s time to harvest – no longer imaginary but reality and I’d better get on with it before it’s too late. The rains faded colours to dirty milk – the poppy’s ink spilt from one to the other casting a gray muck where flies love to frolic.

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Georgie Hawkes, 2020

July 20, 2020

Feeling anxious, excited & nervous about opening the envelopes – want the project to progress but I don’t want it to end – the anticipation is tantalizing but how often does that colour the actuality – I keep opening the door to contrariness.

July 20, 2020

Post mortem on the envelope opening – like opening gifts – absolute gifts of love – connection – separation – hope – humour & despair. Ideas crossing over continents as sense of place in collage, drawing, paint, inks, beading, crayon, pastel, micro-pencil & fat brush. I don’t feel so alone. Video’d the opening and sent that to each guest as a connecting point. A critical conversation gifted me more clarity in direction.

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Cathi Charles, 2020

July 30, 2020

The day before the party and there’s so much, too much, to do… so much I feel paralyzed by my procrastination – shirking the final outcome – will it measure up, does it meet my expectation or theirs.

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Sandy Kirkby, 2020

July 31, 2020

I’m not ready, the project is beyond me, I’ve taken on too much, the documentation is getting the better of me and I fear I will be late to my own party.

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Jane Cowie, 2020

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Sarah Grace, 2020

The yellow bi-plane brought some relief on this blinding scorcher of a day.

*The Covidian Garden Party*, Jane Cowie, envelope detail, 2020

About the Artist

Cat Sivertsen

Cat Sivertsen is a multi-disciplinary artist, an arts-based educator and advocate for arts as wellness. Cat’s career spans 30 years with projects in England, Australia and Canada. Cat is proponent of collaboration with her most recent work being done in spite, or in light, of Covidian restrictions with artists down the road and across the world. A representation of her portfolio can be accessed at catsivertsen.ca