I admire the work of many of the artists involved, so decided to catch an exhibition in Tankerness House before it ends on the 6th of April.
To quote from the Orkney Islands Council website…. https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=8920 ….
“Look Again: Artistic Response to Orkney’s Wartime Remains” is a collaboration between various artists and features photographs, drawings, paintings, sculpture, and tapestry.
Look Again was the brainchild of photographer Ian Collins, who invited artists to contribute their work inspired by the defences from two World Wars. As well as Ian there is work by Robin Bownass, Ingrid Budge, Ros Bryant, Katherine Diaper, Catherine Grivas, Rebecca Marr, Cat Moore, Kris Rowell, and Fiona Sanderson. There are also pieces by the late Gunnie Moberg, courtesy of the Orkney Library & Archive.
Ian Collins said: ‘This exhibition brings together the work of painters, sculptors, printmakers and photographers, as well as a few lines by George Mackay Brown. It is intended as an acknowledgement of the fact that the physical and social environment of these islands has been profoundly marked by military activity, especially that of the Second World War.
The exhibition is also an invitation to remember the circumstances that led to these structures being built and perhaps to consider what efforts should be made to preserve or erase them and the stories associated with them. The works on display will include pieces that reflect on the human cost of conflict and others that seek to find unexpected beauty or harmony in these monumental remains.”
Which reminded me of a previous exhibition in Tankerness House, of Ian’s own work
And now…to a purely personal view of the present exhibition.
Through the door, on the wall to your right is Catherine Grivas‘ striking image ‘Collapsed Water Tank Lyness 2019’. All forms of art are open to personal interpretation, and I have to admit to seeing a Christmas bauble!
Walking round the room clockwise, next I came to a group of images by Ian Collins.
Another image by Catherine Grivas – this time of ’Chair, Officer’s Cottage, Hackness Camp, South Walls 2021’.
A homely image in a place dedicated to war
I covet Fiona Sanderson’s ‘Sundial’, which is explained as being ’Found Copper, hammered over a cast-iron gun-emplacement protractor.’
Robin Bownass’ ‘Z Battery, Flotta’ – simply because I likes mounds!
‘Parliament of Scarfies’ – pic by Gunnie Moberg – accompanied by words from George MacKay Brown
Ros Bryant presented a row of four tapestries and carved slates entitled ‘Looking Out – Hoy Sound at the Spring Equinox. From the searchlight emplacement below Ness Battery.’
Katheine Diaper’s ‘Reflections 2024. The War to end all wars 2024. I saw what was in these images best from the other end of the room.
This exhibition holds much of interest – presenting very different interpretations of what war has left in Orkney.
And here’s my tuppenceworth
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