Fredrix Vermin

IDLE Superstores

1:48 Model, Mixed Media, 2020.
Protest Posters, Black Ink on Day-Glo Paper, 841 x 594 mm, 2020.

The strangest thing by far was that before it even began, chaos reared its head. Mental health issues have echoed through my life and one of the biggest triggers of the persistent voices in my head, of endless frustration in the human race and a general distaste of existence is, ‘The News’.

I actively avoid click bait, swerve listening to the radio and don’t even glance at printed papers. I arrogantly assume anything important enough will filter through. You’re not in danger until you’re face to face with a tiger. I remember hearing that other countries were shutting their borders and that soon we might follow suit.

By this point, the shelves were empty, and everyone had promptly obliged to state induced self imprisonment framed as ‘fighting the good fight’ against this terrible virus. It’s amazing how quickly we conform when we believe we’re doing the right thing, and how completely bizarre concepts become instant parts of our everyday and now reside in ‘the norm’.