Courtesy of Heather Glazzard and Nora Nord.
“Our friend joked that people start making tie-dye when they’re desperate,” laughs photographer Nora Nord who is self-isolating with her partner Heather Glazzard. “We started making tie-dye on day one.” Even if you never thought you were the type to let the odd dirty dish or someone else’s slightly annoying habits rile you, it’s likely that being in lockdown with other people has pushed you to your limits. Some young people are isolating with their significant others, whether or not they were already living together before lockdown. Navigating the intensity of a romantic relationship during this period of uncertainty and physical confinement is certainly an unexpected curveball but for these creative couples—Nora and Heather, Sinéad O’Dwyer and Ottilie Landmark, and Kya Buller and Luke Passey—it has offered the opportunity for inspiration, collaboration and learning through osmosis.
Our well-documented cultural fascination with artist-lover partnerships stretches back a long way. From Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to Marina Abramovic and Ulay, art history wouldn’t be the same without these romantic and creative partnerships. As the pandemic pushes us all indoors, how are contemporary creative couples staying busy, staying inspired and staying in love?
Heather Glazzard and Nora Nord
Courtesy of Heather Glazzard and Nora Nord.
London-based photographers Heather Glazzard and Nora Nord have been expanding their collection of self-portraits, giving an intimate insight into their relationship, from the tender to the tongue-in-cheek. They’ve also been filling their days collaging, reading and making tie-dye. Although the couple already lived together and had a deeply collaborative creative process before lockdown, making it work under these circumstances has been as much about giving each other space as it is about making stuff together. “I’ve weirdly found we’re allowing ourselves space to create alone too,” Heather explains. “I’m so lucky to have her give me the space but also the creative collaborative energy at the same time.”
Living together, working together, sleeping and waking together, taking government sanctioned daily exercise together—that’s a lot of time to spend with one person. “I did have a go at her about not getting me an Easter egg,” Heather admits, “but two days later she showed up with a white chocolate bunny.” Traditional dates may be off the cards for now but that doesn’t mean romance is dead. “Little things are nice. I made Nora a candlelit picnic and we had an amazing night together. It changes stuff up, so it doesn’t always feel like groundhog day.”
Sinéad O’Dwyer and Ottilie Landmark
Courtesy of Sinéad O’Dwyer and Ottilie Landmark.
But not all creatives can move their practice into their home so seamlessly. “I can’t really work in my studio or make with others anymore,” says designer Sinéad O’Dwyer who is self-isolating with her partner Ottilie Landmark, who is a photographer. “But it’s given me time and space to think about my business and speak more about my process with Ottilie and then make things with her which has been positive.”
Ottilie has been editing photos, doing test shoots and developing her own colour film. “Being in the same surroundings has made me completely in sync with the house we live in and therefore I have been shooting when the moment feels right,” she says. “Sinéad has been my main subject and it’s been nice to have someone around who I can always discuss ideas with.”
To unwind, Ottilie and Sinéad have been playing lots of board games but they’ve clashed over their different interpretations of the rules. “We both have versions we each think are right so realising that it’s objective is good,” they both say. Their only other advice for couples self-isolating together is simple: “Give each other space and don’t drink too much!”
Kya Buller and Luke Passey
Courtesy of Kya Buller and Luke Passey.
Manchester-based writer Kya Buller and her boyfriend Luke Passey, who is a visual artist, weren’t living together before lockdown but decided to wait out the pandemic under the same roof. “I’m trying to see this as more time with my favourite person,” says Kya, “and trying not to think about how much I miss seeing him in different settings, catching his eye across crowded rooms.”
Luke and Kya work in different disciplines so under normal circumstances chances to collaborate are rare. Creating in close proximity for the past six weeks, however, has given them more time to work alongside each other, discuss ideas and share inspiration. This flow of creative energy has added another element to their relationship, and they are planning on making jewellery together soon, a project that probably wouldn’t have come about if it wasn’t for lockdown. “I’ve been enjoying being around to watch his hands move, the choices he makes, the faces he pulls when considering which colour to use next,” Kya muses. “It’s introduced another level of intimacy to our relationship we didn’t have before.”
Luke’s parting advice for couples self-isolating together? “Kiss in the morning. Make a nice brew. Stay busy. Stay connected and dream of the pub.”