2020 – A Lockdown
"2020 – A Lockdown" is a photographic reflection on the quiet moments of isolation, capturing how our homes became sanctuaries, workplaces, and schools. Through light, stillness, and resilience, this project explores how we found meaning in solitude and connection in shared experiences.
Capturing Stillness in a Standstill World
During the lockdown enforced by the Andrew’s government in Victoria, I immersed myself in a unique and challenging reality. The streets were empty, businesses were shuttered, and an eerie quietness settled over the city. With the world outside at a standstill, I turned inward, using my camera to document the nuances of everyday life within the confines of my home.
With routines disrupted and social interactions limited, time itself seemed to slow. Each day unfolded in a pattern of stillness, where small moments took on profound meaning. This project captures the intimate moments that often go unnoticed—the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, the quiet solitude of a still afternoon, the flickering glow of a bedside lamp illuminating pages of a book, and the rhythm of daily routines that provided a sense of normalcy in an uncertain time.
Photography as a Lens Into Isolation
Photography became my way of exploring the mundane and extraordinary aspects of life during this unprecedented period. Each image reflects the emotions experienced in isolation—solitude, anxiety, hope, and connection.
Through my lens, I sought to portray how our homes transformed into sanctuaries, workplaces, and schools, each corner filled with fragments of our lives adapting to new realities. A kitchen table once used for quick meals became a workspace filled with notes and coffee cups. Windows became our portals to the outside world, where we gazed longingly at empty streets and distant figures.
Yet, amidst the isolation, there was also a connection. Video calls replaced in-person conversations, handwritten letters found their way into mailboxes, and balconies became gathering points for moments of shared acknowledgment. The contrast between distance, closeness, longing, and comfort played out in the quiet images I captured.
A Reflection of Resilience
Beyond simply documenting history, this body of work serves as a reminder of resilience and the strength of the human spirit. The lockdown forced us to redefine the meaning of presence—physically and emotionally. I invite viewers to engage with the spaces we inhabit and recognise the beauty in quiet moments that define our existence.
Stillness has a certain poetry. It allows for reflection, appreciation, and understanding. In a time when we were physically distanced yet emotionally connected, I hope these photographs evoke a sense of shared experience, reinforcing the idea that even in isolation, we were never truly alone.
Finding Meaning in Stillness
Ultimately, this project celebrates everyday life and shows how we find meaning in the spaces we create, even in the most challenging circumstances. The images remind us that while life paused in many ways, it continued in others—through small acts of kindness, the rediscovery of personal passions, and the unshakable human desire to move forward.
As we slowly step beyond the shadows of lockdown, these photographs serve as a visual time capsule of resilience, adaptation, and quiet beauty.
What did your lockdown look like? How did you find meaning in the stillness?
