One of the most wonderful things about art is watching others engage and enjoy what is in front of them. Taking a minute to stop and just be for a bit, away from the other noise and thoughts of daily life.
Throughout Teebro I have been delivering various activity, including a couple of workshops. A Walking Workshop where an insight into my walking practice was given, while walking through Stromness and along the coast. And a Mark Making Workshop at Linkshouse, Birsay where we considered shape, line, colour and pattern – all relating to the local landscape. Each workshop allowed participants to explore the Orkney Landscape in a new way and through new eyes.
Gathering rubbings, making drawings, mixing paint, watching birds in flight, paying attention to the movements of the tides, taking time to feel the wind, looking for the light, hear the grasses move and smell the freshness in the air. Spending time discussing what we see and experimenting with materials ensured that each of the workshops were full of activity.
During an exhibition talk and workshop introduction I read out a quote from Wilhelmina Barns-Graham diary, written while she visited Orkney in August 1984.
“so much work ideas here – drawings, colour, shapes, moods, space – elongated shapes – & then the light & rock groupings – water movements – changes… it is overwhelming – choked with it all”
(Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Virgina Button, Page 79)
Guiding each participant through and into Orkney’s Landscape was a pleasure to be part of. Each responded in their own way and allowed me to encourage, build confidence and trusted in what was being asked of them. Orkney became about all the things that make it special (to me).
It has been wonderful – and it isn’t over yet.
The exhibition can be visited until the 20th August at The Pier Arts Centre, Stromness. Pop along if you can, if not you can read all about it here.
Laura Drever 