By Bernie Bell.
I read a piece by Eamonn Keyes about the Orkney 26 Degree Show
…which tempted me to go along to see for myself, and I’m very pleased that I did so. I noticed that Eamonn and I focused on different things, we’re different people – that’s what Art does – speaks to different people in different ways.
As always, this is a purely personal response, in which I include the pieces which caught my attention most strongly, for whatever reasons.
After that pre-amble, I’ll walk you round the show which is kind-of three shows in one.
Beginning with the Undergraduates, and I’ll include Victoria Lochone’s text which accompanies her work as it …goes with the flow of what she presents
I’ll also include my own musings on waves
Katrina Braddock’s ‘Whale Decomposition, Graemsay’. As someone who likes bones, this had strong appeal for me
F.M. Roebuck’s tin isn’t an art-work – I just likes it
Simone Deegan’s spider – imagine finding one that size in your bath!
The next section is the room holding the work done by students on the National Certificate Course
Some of these works include the name of the artist, some don’t.
Simon James….I likes spirals
Hammer-heads and sharks
reminiscent to me, of Andrew Appleby’s illustrations for his ‘Skara’ books
Ceramic fishes, bees & frogs
A black and white whirly thing – which appeals to me
And now…… on to the Degree Show
I’ll begin with Alex Muir’s work with Flax. Flax is such an extra- ordinary thing….there was a time not that long ago when people grew their own Flax, processed it and made their own clothes from the linen produced. In ‘One Fine Day’ Ian Marchant writes of this process as his ancestors used to, as he puts it, weave their own pants out of Flax.
Back to Alex’ work
You’ve heard the description…..’flaxen haired’?
Mia Train presents a room of bones, shapes made from pieces of creatures, and a cabinet of curiosities which has next to it the kind of sign which I like to see at an exhibition
I love it….so many things I’d like to take home with me
I’ll present my favourite pieces of Hilary Swanney’s work under one heading of ‘Time Pieces’, as that’s what they are, to me
When in this space don’t just look around you – look up too
I strongly recommend going to see these exhibitions, which are on until and including Wednesday the 17th June ‘til 7pm.
It does me good to see so much creativity in an increasingly in-human A.I. dominated world.
I’m wondering what these artists will go on to do and produce. I always wonder that – remember the names, you might come across them again.
