Sometimes I have to pinch myself that I live and work in Orkney as an artist.
This morning I was part of a conversation with someone about what makes it special to be an artist here. For me its the light, the lay of the land, the changing colours, the strength of the wind, the lasting light in summer and dark days in the winter. The way the wind moves and makes the grasses dance and how calm it can be when sitting on a cliff with the roaring sea below. The birds singing and making their lines in the landscape and the other light that shows up for seconds making everything look different all over again. It’s really exciting. It never gets boring.
Another thing that is exciting is when other artists/creative folk understand Orkney in a similar way – when a new language is created to showcase Orkney’s changing landscape. How lucky is Orkney to have artists who respond to it in this way. Artists who make their home here or spend snippets of time getting to know it, wandering, sketching and soaking it all in. Making sense of it.
Last year Victoria Crowe spent time at Linkshouse in Birsay considering the celestial cycle. Looking closely at the light, textures and landscape around her. During the residency she completed a Summer and Winter Sketchbook full of notes to reflect back on. It was a pleasure when she asked if I could do some field visits and collect sounds to be part of the film that sat alongside her exhibition “Elemental” at The RSA (Royal Scottish Academy). The film is worth a watch – so interesting to hear Victoria talk through her sketchbook and her experience of Orkney. Such a personal object.
I will head to Birsay again soon, go a cliff walk and spend time watching the birds. It’s grey and flat today, maybe the light will do its thing tommorrow?
*Video shared with permission from Victoria’s website http://www.victoriacrowe.com
Laura Drever 