The oppressive, claustrophobic, nervy nature of this cellular structure seemed appropriate given that I had been doing some background reading in preparation for giving a short talk on mens' mental health to about 100 men at Blokefest, a festival for men to get together to camp, eat, drink and sing. Previous Blokefest events have also included mens' health talks, such as prostate cancer, and given what we have been going through over the last 18 months, the timing for this talk felt right. Mental health concerns around the world have been growing over this time and increasing numbers are suffering from depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
Covid restrictions had certainly been in my thoughts when conceiving this. Isolation, fear, misinformation, inaction, uncertainty and worry take their toll on the psyche. The copper figure, darkened with Liver of Sulphur, evokes the Everyman, crouched, back bent, head down, trapped in his claustrophobic cell. This was just meant to be a proof-of-concept figure but I grew attached to him - with all his flaws.
I presume the sealed cell with the key came from the subconscious after having lockdown in mind though I only realised this later. There is a cardboard housing behind the keyhole with a pin that centres the barrel key in the usual way. The key may thus be inserted and turned though it does nothing other than cause a click from a sprung plastic tab. It is forever sealed.
