The next exhibition in the windows of the Northlight Gallery, Stromness will be Paintings by Monique Sliedrecht. The exhibition will run from 8 – 21 May.

Monique lives and works at Freswick Castle in Caithness. Over the years she has had solo exhibitions in Rotterdam, Paris and more recently at the Northlight Gallery in 2019.

Commenting about her exhibition at the Northlight Gallery, Monique said:

‘The images of seascape and birds, painted on wood panel and door, reflect time spent near the sea, where the wind blows with the tide, finding its way into the forgotten crofts of the northern coast. With the opening of a door comes a sudden flutter
of wings rising on the same May wind as the waves of the tide.’

Monique Sliedrecht is an artist, blogger and podcaster. She writes a monthly column called ‘Northern Drift’ for the John O’Groat Journal and has just finished the first series of her new podcast, ‘Tales From the North’ which can be found on all major podcast platforms, or you can find it directly on her website: www.moniquesliedrecht.com

Monique’s most recent blog post sheds some light on the work which is on display at Northlight:

‘During springtime, I’ve enjoyed watching the activity of wood pigeons fluttering up from old stone structures, razorbills and guillemots populating the sea edges, and fulmars dropping into the space between cliff ledges. The lifting of restrictions and coming out into the light of day is perhaps a little bit like flying from a great height for the first time and falling into the unknown, trusting our wings to lift us up and navigate through varying air currents.

Travelling across the Pentland Firth to Orkney, my senses are attuned to the sights and sounds in a fresh way. I can relate to the porpoise jumping through the waves in the wake of the moving ferry, or the gannet swooping down low over the swirling sea. I experience the joy of spreading wings as I span the distance beyond my small and familiar territory. My lungs expand to breathe in the salty air. It is exhilarating. This is a moment to reawaken memory and experience, to move into the way of love, step by step, having learned through letting go. It is like seeing the world for the first time.’

Winds of May by James Joyce

‘Winds of May, that dance on the sea,
Dancing a ring-around in glee
From furrow to furrow, while overhead
The foam flies up to be garlanded,
In silvery arches spanning the air,
Saw you my true love anywhere?
Welladay! Welladay!
For the winds of May!
Love is unhappy when love is away!