Lydia Merrett, 'At Times Like These, The Olden Times Rein Supreme' 2020

This work on paper by artist Lydia Merrett is a part of a body of work that was begun during the Coronavirus Lockdown. After borrowing boxes of family photographs from her mother to work from while staying inside, she spent her days delving into family history motifs for inspiration. The horses she delineates hold a sense of power, whilst also feeling fragile and far away. The artist found comfort in exploring a different body through colour and form which feels accessible during turbulent times. Each horse in the series is painted slightly differently through simplified lines in unusual colours.