The world was a different place when Hugo Lami, Cecilia Di Paolo and Rory Watson took up residency at the Muse in January.

Rather than collaborating under one roof, the three artists developed works in isolation from each other – yet ultimately adapting in unison to unique circumstances. The resulting exhibition includes work directly and indirectly responding to the pandemic, created pre- and post-lockdown, on- and off-site, at home in London and abroad.

Hugo Lami’s practice centres around the unfulfilling allure of technology and draws parallels between contemporary lifestyles and ancient mythology. The works created during lockdown in particular are visual metaphors of inevitable cultural shifts as restrictions to physical contact propel us deeper into the virtual realm.

Rory Watson entered the residency with a body of work dominated by interactive installations. He explored the way people present themselves online, the result a series of large-scale self portraits. Acknowledging social media’s dependence on an invisible audience, he expanded his drawings from the discreet studio at the gallery’s back to fill the entire dormant space in full view of the passing public.

By contrast Cecilia Di Paolo moved from self-portraiture to still life photography. A more remote experience in physical terms, the residency afforded the artist time and space to reflect and expand. The resulting works are still yet fluid – prints will change over time and are not confined to actual or implied frames. While initially inspired by memories and familiarity they represent a first step towards wider collaboration and participation.

The Muse is an artist-run gallery and studio located on West London’s Portobello Road market. The residency program constitutes an integral part of the gallery concept and recognises the needs of recent graduates when adjusting to post-academic reality.

This exhibition is part of the Kensington & Chelsea Art Week celebrating the borough’s rich cultural heritage from 1-11 October.