Relax, We're Doing Great

In Collections: Creativity in the Time of COVID-19

Copyright Status: In Copyright

Date: 2019/2022

Artists: Hamer, Michelle

Subjects: COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- , in art

Material Type: Mixed media works
Textile art (visual works)

Language: English

Extent: 6 mixed media textile works

Genre Note: Multimedia hand stitching

Exhibit Label: I wanted to create "Relax, We're Doing Great" to record and emphasize the massive amount of new and emerging messaging throughout the era of COVID-19. I needed to explore and document as much as possible, and through this exploration it became apparent that the language varied enormously depending on where you live and your socio-economic status. It began to feel like a lottery of language. This series of works was made in Melbourne, Australia during 262 days of the longest, strictest lockdown in the world. Creating it has helped me deal with the pandemic as a way of processing what has been happening, expressing my own changing moods by keeping me occupied. I spent a large amount of time in the hospital over a 4 month period during 2020 - no visitors were allowed due to COVID-19 and I was tested every 3 days. Creating these works gave me something external to focus on and was a meditation on all that was happening. --Label design by exhibit curator Nancy DeJoy. Labels written by Ben Lash and his team in consultation with artist statements.

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5s759m1n

Page Info

1 of 6: Relax, We're Doing Great. Part 01

A hand-stitched mixed media depiction of an LED billboard that says "GATHERINGS CANCELLED" in orange threading. The billboard reaches into the scene from the right side. The background is a blue sky with a few clouds and there is some shrubbery in the lower left corner.

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Extent: 1 mixed media textile work

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5th8fp0x

2 of 6: Relax, We're Doing Great. Part 02

A hand-stitched mixed media depiction of an LED billboard that says "I'LL KISS EVERYONE" in blue threading. The billboard reaches into the scene from the right side. The background is a blue sky with hues of purple, and there is some shrubbery in the lower left corner. There are a few patches of fiery red threading surrounding the billboard.

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Extent: 1 mixed media textile work

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5tx3875p

3 of 6: Relax, We're Doing Great. Part 03

A hand-stitched canvas depicting an LED billboard that says "WE'RE DOING GREAT" in orange and yellow threading. The billboard reaches into the scene from the right side. The background is a sky in hues of blue with a few clouds and there is some shrubbery in the lower left corner.

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Extent: 1 mixed media textile work

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5bc3wz27

4 of 6: Relax, We're Doing Great. Part 04

A hand-stitched canvas depicting an LED billboard that says "FLATTEN THE CURVE" in orange and yellow threading. The billboard reaches into the scene from the right side. The background is a sky in hues of blue with a cloud in the lower right corner and some shrubbery in the lower left.

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Extent: 1 mixed media textile work

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5rn33846

5 of 6: Relax, We're Doing Great. Part 05

A hand-stitched canvas depicting an LED billboard that says "NO INJECTING DISINFECTANT" in orange and yellow threading. The billboard reaches into the scene from the right side. The background is a sky in hues of blue with some shrubbery in the lower left corner.

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Extent: 1 mixed media textile work

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m56972z98

6 of 6: Relax, We're Doing Great. Part 06

A hand-stitched canvas depicting an LED billboard that says "SPREAD FREEDOM" in orange and yellow threading. The billboard reaches into the scene from the right side. The background is a sky in hues of blue with a few pink clouds and there is some shrubbery in the lower left corner.

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Extent: 1 mixed media textile work

Permalink: https://n2t.net/ark:/85335/m5qn62c7d