Background Noise, 2024

This series of paintings addresses themes of memory, landscape, placidity and militarisation, drawing inspiration from her childhood in East Anglia, near a US military airbase in Suffolk. Michelle Cobbin’s paintings delve into the complex relationship between rural life and the presence of military power, with a particular focus on nuclear weapons and fighter jets that shaped her upbringing.

The ‘Background Noise’ series combines figurative elements with Cobbin’s earlier abstract landscapes, reflecting her artistic journey and evolving perspective. The paintings are inspired by memories of growing up during the Cold War and are informed by the recent news that American nuclear weapons are due back at the same US airbase (at the time of writing this). This prompted Cobbin to create art that reflects both her childhood naivety and her adult anti-war stance.

In these paintings, she uses simplified drawings and motifs to convey the innocent yet unsettling experience of growing up beside a foreign military base housing some of the most dangerous weapons in existence. Motifs such as planes, fences and playgrounds feature prominently, symbolising her memories of playing near the base, while vibrant colours bridge the gap between abstract landscapes and a more figurative narrative.

This body of work challenges the unacknowledged tension between peaceful village life and an ever-present military machine. Cobbin invites the viewer to reflect on the impact of the US military presence on nature, landscape and society.