The toilet roll art challenge

A gallery owner challenged people to create art out of toilet roll tubes during the coronavirus lockdown

Sarah Whittley, from Cley next the Sea in Norfolk, launched the project on social media, with lots of people taking part from as far away as the US.

She had been looking for easy things to make when she spotted the loo rolls.

The challenge had “touched people”, and led to the production of some “heart-warming” creations, she said.

Ms. Whittley, who has run Pinkfoot Gallery for 15 years and lives on-site, said that due to health issues she had to close the business ahead of the lockdown.

She set the challenge because she’s a ‘doer’ and feels frustrated for not being allowed to leave the house.

She suggested using paper or cardboard because it could be accessible around the house as well as Biro and a loo roll.

Ms. Whittley said she and her colleague Emma Denham had spent hours replying to everyone who had posted photos for the #pinkfootloorollchallenge across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

“We didn’t expect it to go quite so bonkers,” said Ms. Whittley, before adding they had been surprised by the variety of designs, ranging from a crumpled tube “face” to a 3D wildlife scene and intricate bird paintings.

Professional artists have taken up the challenge alongside those wanting to pass the time, with Ms. Whittley saying her “not normally arty” mother contributed entry because she thought “I’d be upset if no-one responded”.

The challenge will run for the duration of the lockdown, with Ms. Whittley hoping to exhibit to thank contributors when her gallery reopened.

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“I think every single one is incredible – I didn’t expect the standard to be that high and inventive,” she said.

“When people are at school everyone paints and draws, then as they get older life takes over, but people love painting and everyone has words to express, pictures to paint”.

“They haven’t always had the time but now they have.”

“It’s almost a social record… if we can get everyone creating, we’d love that.”

Source bbc.com

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