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4 pen and ink drawings (left to right): a bird-like figure sitting down and hugging 3 human-like figures; a human-like figure riding a modified bicycle with a box which has "hand sanitiser" printed on it; two human-like figures sitting inside a house exterior; a interior wall, window and curtains overlooking a tree and garden. 2 pen and ink drawings (left to right): a bird-like figure sitting down and hugging 3 human-like figures; a human-like figure riding a modified bicycle with a box which has "hand sanitiser" printed on it.

(Left to right) - Phlegm, Mother bird (Pandemic Diary series, no.66), Phlegm, Bike maintenance is important (Pandemic Diary series, no.24), Phlegm, Home (Pandemic Diary series, no.17), Phlegm, And the trees start to blossom (Pandemic Diary series, no.23), 2020 © the artist

Phlegm, works from Pandemic Diary series, (no.66, no.24), 2020 © the artist

Phlegm: Pandemic Diary

Sat 13 January - Sun 7 July 2024

Millennium Gallery

At the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic, artist Phlegm started to document his observations of daily life in lockdown in the form of an ongoing series of artworks.

These 67 pen and ink drawings blur the reality of the pandemic with the imaginary world he has created throughout his career – one full of long-limbed forest creatures, fantastical contraptions and hybrid cities that seem to grow organically. The series went on display alongside works from the city’s collection.

 

Pandemic Diary joined the city’s visual art collection thanks to funding from the Contemporary Art Society Rapid Response Fund.

This exhibition has now closed

Millennium Gallery

Arundel Gate

Sheffield

S1 2PP

4 pen and ink drawings (left to right): a bird-like figure sitting down and hugging 3 human-like figures; a human-like figure riding a modified bicycle with a box which has "hand sanitiser" printed on it; two human-like figures sitting inside a house exterior; a interior wall, window and curtains overlooking a tree and garden.

(Left to right) - Phlegm, Mother bird (Pandemic Diary series, no.66), Phlegm, Bike maintenance is important (Pandemic Diary series, no.24), Phlegm, Home (Pandemic Diary series, no.17), Phlegm, And the trees start to blossom (Pandemic Diary series, no.23), 2020 © the artist

Exhibition highlights

  • A pen and drink drawing of a human-like figure carrying a large amount of toilet rolls and a dagger.

    Phlegm, Don't Panic (Pandemic Diary series, no. 1), 2020

    © the artist

  • A pen and ink drawing of two human-like figures standing apart with their hands in front of them. Above their heads is the words "social distance" and two arrows.

    Phlegm, Social distance (Pandemic Diary series, no. 8), 2020

    © the artist

  • A pen and ink drawing of a human-like figure on an exercise bike holding a dumbbell.

    Phlegm, New day New me (Pandemic Diary series, no. 14), 2020

    © the artist

  • A pen and ink drawing of a human-like figure wearing a hula hoop suspended from their waist with the words "stand back" and "2 metres" written on. They are wearing oven gloves and a a astronaut-style helmet.

    Phlegm, I’m going shopping (Pandemic Diary series, no. 16), 2020

    © the artist

  • A pen and ink drawing of two human-like figures sitting inside a house exterior;

    Phlegm, Home (Pandemic Diary series, no. 16), 2020

    © the artist

  • A pen and ink drawing of a window and curtains overlooking a tree and garden.

    Phlegm, And the trees start to blossom (Pandemic Diary series, no. 23), 2020

    © the artist

  • A pen and ink drawing of a human-like figure riding a modified bicycle with a box which has "hand sanitiser" printed on it.

    Phlegm, Bike maintenance is important (Pandemic Diary series, no. 24), 2020

    © the artist

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