'Little Faces Big Feelings' photography collection

The project, spearheaded by documentary photographer Maria Reaney from Birmingham, brings together 16 artists from internationally diverse backgrounds to shed light on the social and emotional challenges faced by children during lockdowns and thereafter.

Through a genuine and authentic female lens, the images capture the experiences and stories of young people navigating a disrupted world.

From the closure of schools and public spaces, to the upheaval of daily routines, the photographs reflect a spectrum of emotions - boredom, longing, contemplation, playfulness, curiosity, and frustration.

In a time marked by unprecedented mental health challenges for children, this collection has become a powerful historical document, highlighting the psychological strain of the pandemic, whilst also reminding us of our resilience and celebrating the simple joys that were also found.

The project aims to not only foster compassion and understanding for mental health but also to spark essential conversations and empathy around our feelings and emotions. Human beings are social creatures and once our critical requirements for growth are taken away, our minds and bodies respond with an increased requirement for interaction, love and support. As the legendary Birmingham poet, the late Benjamin Zephaniah stated, “People need people”.

Visit the exhibition in Manchester to share your covid stories or follow @littlefacesbigfeelings to connect and contribute your feelings.