Unmasked: Portraits from the Zoom Room

By Nanci

A painting of a woman looking down
Unmasked: Portraits from the Zoom Room #1. Post-it Note. As much as I zoomed in I couldn’t see what was on the single post-it note on the door behind Dianna during our meeting. A reminder, an affirmation – remains a mystery. I loved the perspective as she gazes down at the screen without any clues to what she might be thinking. Acrylic on Tyvek (synthetic non-woven paper), 16″ x 26″. ©2020NanciHersh.

I have been and continue to be in the Zoom Room in meetings with colleagues who are artists, educators, administrators and others relating to my work as Executive Director of Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education (DiAE). While I much rather be having these interactions in person, I am fortunate to share a space with so many engaging, creative and passionate individuals.

A painting of man against a virtual backdrop depicting the Blues Brothers.
Unmasked: Portraits from the Zoom Room #2. Blues Brothers Reimagined. We could count on a different virtual background throughout the pandemic with Greg. This one with the Blues Brothers was by far my favorite choice of Greg’s as he is looking somewhere off screen and into the distance with Belushi and Akroyd striking a pose and looking at us! Acrylic on Tyvek (synthetic non-woven paper), 16″ x 26″. ©2020NanciHersh.

The pandemic has thrown us into a uniquely surreal and voyeuristic world where “togetherness” facilitated by Zoom gave us a new perspective into how people really lived…

A painting of a woman and her daughter.
Unmasked: Portraits from the Zoom Room#3. Show & Tell. Ashley and I are co-directors and her daughter Kennedy is never far away, popping in to say hi, modeling a new outfit or dancing in the background. This painting was done early on during quarantine and Kennedy popped on screen with her mask worn on her head as yet another fashion statement. Acrylic on Tyvek (synthetic non-woven paper), 16″ x 26″. ©2020NanciHersh.

The pandemic has thrown us into a uniquely surreal and voyeuristic world where “togetherness” facilitated by Zoom gave us a new perspective into how people really lived—the clothes they wore, the make-up or lack thereof, the spaces they chose to occupy, the artwork and images on the walls, and a host of “guests” who would make cameo appearances. It was an opportunity for everyone to be their “unmasked” selves – for better or for worse – serving as the great social equalizer for those of us in lock-down mode.

A painting of a woman wearing glasses in a room featuring artwork with a window and door in the background.
Unmasked: Portraits from the Zoom Room #4. Artist-in-Residence. Artist and educator extraordinaire Yolanda and I have found ourselves together in the Zoom Room numerous times throughout the Pandemic. It is always a visual feast to see what’s on her Newark, DE studio walls! Acrylic on Tyvek (synthetic non-woven paper), 16″ x 26″. ©2020NanciHersh.

And through all of this, I couldn’t help to sit back and observe each individual and their curated space more closely, weirdly intimate yet with a certain natural beauty about it—both authentic and contrived at the same time. I knew that these images needed to be preserved by the lens through which I peered. And so I embarked on a journey to do just that.

A painting of a woman with her hand on her chin.
Unmasked: Portraits from the Zoom Room #5. Ms. Dee. Dee is a dance teaching artist and also makes a color statement from head to toe where ever she brings her magic. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised to notice that in the Zoom Room her outfit matched the couch in her home as well! Acrylic on Tyvek (synthetic non-woven paper), 16″ x 26″. ©2020NanciHersh.

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