28 MAY 2020 My name is Charlotte Brooks. I am based in London and work as an artist liaison at a contemporary gallery here. I started the Instagram account, Art of Social Distancing, on the eve of the UK lockdown. I was due to travel for an artist’s opening, which closed before anyone was able to see the new paintings. This felt like such an injustice so I started highlighting international exhibitions that had been impacted.

The art world responded rapidly with online exhibitions, viewing rooms, augmented reality apps and so on. However, there was almost a full saturation and many were wondering, how many online viewing rooms is too many? The Instagram account has been a great way to connect and showcase those impacted and to make sure that the artists, curators, gallerists and institutions have an audience and the shows are not forgotten.

I have taken to gardening our tiny courtyard garden in London and cycling. The exercise is really essential and ensures that I leave the house each day!

I have been really inspired by the many artists and curators who have been in touch with the account. Sharing new ideas for exhibitions and new ways of looking and presenting contemporary art in this new and challenging climate.

I am looking forward to being able to visit museums again, and I am also very interested in the new measures that will be in place for visitors. As lockdowns have eased around the world, the account is taking on a new form of exploring these new presentations. I am looking forward to seeing where this takes us.

Please follow: @artofsocialdistancing and send information on exhibitions that have been impacted whether that be shuttered, postponed, cancelled or reopened to artofsocialdistancing@gmail.com.