Image: THE KISS. Mixed Media Collage on Card. 20 x 20 cm. 2011.

THE KISS.

The lack of close personal contact is a large part of what makes this imposition of social distancing so terribly hard to bear.

I remember well that in the 70s, during the early days of our relationship, my future wife and I were banned from a pub in Hackney for kissing. Times were different then! Believe me, one of these days in the not too distant future public displays of affection will be back in fashion, and even publicans may be better disposed to young lovers.

Touch is a primal thing, our instincts are to hug and kiss the ones we care for, this won’t suddenly disappear, it is part of how we have learnt to communicate, interact and share our feelings for each other. And we can’t let it disappear either, because it means so much to everyone on the planet. For those who are suffering now, have patience and all this enforced separation will be a distant memory and we will be able to hold the ones we love close again. X