Stay Home Stay Safe

Strange Days Indeed is a series born from two years none of us will forget — and couldn't have imagined before they arrived. Using cutlery as its central metaphor, this work turns the most ordinary of objects into a lens for examining everything the pandemic quietly dismantled: our routines, our connections, our certainty about tomorrow.
Look closely and the language of the work reveals itself.
Muted, limited colour speaks to the relentless sameness of lockdown days that blurred into one another. A broken or missing horizon captures that unsettling feeling of being unable to plan, unable to see ahead. Containers — vessels meant to hold things — become symbols of quarantine, of the invisible walls that kept us from the people we needed most.
This is a piece about loneliness, anxiety, and uncertainty. But it's also a piece about recognition — the quiet relief of seeing your own experience reflected back at you and knowing you weren't alone in it.
Mixed media on canvas — acrylic paint layered with collaged papers, pencil, graphite and crayon — finished in cold wax for a matte, tactile surface that invites touch as much as contemplation. Presented in a silver-grey frame, ready to hang.
For anyone who lived through it, this work will resonate for a long time to come.

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ARTIST STATEMENT:
Based on the Surf Coast of Victoria, Chris Aspland is an accomplished abstract realist painter whose work explores the complexities of everyday life, particularly the experiences of women in the community. With a background in both fine arts and commercial printing, she brings a unique perspective to her artistic practice, blending technical expertise with a strong narrative focus.

Chris began her career as an apprentice compositor with an international printing company before transitioning into roles within the local commercial printing industry. This extensive experience in print media informs her artistic approach, influencing both her composition and visual storytelling.

With over 12 years of experience as a practicing artist, Chris has exhibited widely in both solo and group exhibitions. Her work has been recognized as a finalist in various art prizes and is held in collections across Australia and internationally.

Passionate about making art accessible to all, she actively fosters creativity within her community. She facilitates life drawing and sketching classes at Hoop Gallery, encouraging others to engage with art in a meaningful and inclusive way.