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| Artist Thomas Keyes with his Songlines commission on the Isle of Lewis Ferry |
Passengers
travelling between Ullapool and Stornoway this summer will be able to enjoy a
new artwork displayed onboard the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, The Isle of
Lewis.
travelling between Ullapool and Stornoway this summer will be able to enjoy a
new artwork displayed onboard the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, The Isle of
Lewis.
The pop-up
installation, which features an illuminated manuscript page made by Black Isle-based
artist Thomas Keyes takes the form of a deerskin parchment decorated with
plant-based dyes. Its inspiration is the colours of the landscape and the
history of the Uig area on Lewis.
installation, which features an illuminated manuscript page made by Black Isle-based
artist Thomas Keyes takes the form of a deerskin parchment decorated with
plant-based dyes. Its inspiration is the colours of the landscape and the
history of the Uig area on Lewis.
The artwork is the
outcome of one of a number of projects led by the pioneering Creative Futures
Partnership between The Glasgow School of Art (the GSA) and Highlands and Islands
Enterprise (HIE), established to deliver transformational benefits to the
region.
outcome of one of a number of projects led by the pioneering Creative Futures
Partnership between The Glasgow School of Art (the GSA) and Highlands and Islands
Enterprise (HIE), established to deliver transformational benefits to the
region.
It was
commissioned as part of the Bealach Songlines project; a collaboration
involving An Lanntair arts centre in Stornoway and local agencies supported by
Creative Scotland CP Award. Songlines is linked to Ionad Hiort, a community
project to establish a St Kilda visitor centre based in Uig.
commissioned as part of the Bealach Songlines project; a collaboration
involving An Lanntair arts centre in Stornoway and local agencies supported by
Creative Scotland CP Award. Songlines is linked to Ionad Hiort, a community
project to establish a St Kilda visitor centre based in Uig.
Thomas worked with
GSA Masters student Mhairi Creanor, to design the final piece.
GSA Masters student Mhairi Creanor, to design the final piece.
“I was greatly inspired by the landscape and culture
of Lewis, particularly the history of lichen dyeing,” says Thomas. “It’s very fitting that the work should
travel by sea as many of the original manuscripts did. It’sprobably more than
1,000 years since that last happened.”
of Lewis, particularly the history of lichen dyeing,” says Thomas. “It’s very fitting that the work should
travel by sea as many of the original manuscripts did. It’sprobably more than
1,000 years since that last happened.”
Songlines takes
its name from the Australian aboriginal practice of learning and sharing
knowledge of geographic routes through song and poetry. Drawing inspiration
from this tradition, it is hoped that the Songlines project will bring the unique
stories of the Hebridean landscape to life, transforming the Stornoway-Uig
route into an attraction in its own right.
its name from the Australian aboriginal practice of learning and sharing
knowledge of geographic routes through song and poetry. Drawing inspiration
from this tradition, it is hoped that the Songlines project will bring the unique
stories of the Hebridean landscape to life, transforming the Stornoway-Uig
route into an attraction in its own right.
In total, six
artists will complete artworks for the trail, which will be created over the
next 18 months. Work is currently underway on the second Songlines commission –
a new work by Isle of Lewis based artist, Moira Maclean. As a starting point
for her commission, Moira is considering how the physical journey between
Stornoway and Uig relates to emotion and memory.
artists will complete artworks for the trail, which will be created over the
next 18 months. Work is currently underway on the second Songlines commission –
a new work by Isle of Lewis based artist, Moira Maclean. As a starting point
for her commission, Moira is considering how the physical journey between
Stornoway and Uig relates to emotion and memory.
Keyes’ work will
also tour local island communities later in the summer.
also tour local island communities later in the summer.
ENDS
For further information contact:
GSA Press Office
07799414474
press@gsa.ac.uk
@GSofAMedia
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Catherine Maclean,
project curator, Creative Places, of An
Lanntair, said: “An Lanntair are
delighted to be working with The Glasgow School of Art and The St Kilda Centre
on the Songlines project. It is such a unique project that reflects the
traditions and beauty of the Hebridean landscape. It is also a wonderful
opportunity for a variety of artists to come to the islands and experience the
Outer Hebrides and together create a truly unique body of work.”
project curator, Creative Places, of An
Lanntair, said: “An Lanntair are
delighted to be working with The Glasgow School of Art and The St Kilda Centre
on the Songlines project. It is such a unique project that reflects the
traditions and beauty of the Hebridean landscape. It is also a wonderful
opportunity for a variety of artists to come to the islands and experience the
Outer Hebrides and together create a truly unique body of work.”
Malcolm MacLean,
of Ionad Hiort, said: “The Uig road already features a number of
great public artworks from the Lewis chessmen to the Calanais Stones and George
Wylie’s Palm Tree in Achmore. Songlines aims to creatively develop that
‘tradition’ and we look forward to seeing the new ideas that GSA and An
Lanntair generate.”
of Ionad Hiort, said: “The Uig road already features a number of
great public artworks from the Lewis chessmen to the Calanais Stones and George
Wylie’s Palm Tree in Achmore. Songlines aims to creatively develop that
‘tradition’ and we look forward to seeing the new ideas that GSA and An
Lanntair generate.”
Brian Dixon,
project coordinator at the GSA’s Institute
of Design Innovation (InDI), said: “It’s
great to see the launch of Songlines. We’re all very excited to be taking the
first steps towards developing an innovative, world-class cultural trail
together.”
project coordinator at the GSA’s Institute
of Design Innovation (InDI), said: “It’s
great to see the launch of Songlines. We’re all very excited to be taking the
first steps towards developing an innovative, world-class cultural trail
together.”
Iain Hamilton,
head of creative industries at HIE,
said: “The Creative Futures Partnership
is about applying creativity in projects that strengthen communities around the
region. It is particularly encouraging to see collaborations like this, with An
Lanntair and the Uig community tapping into the creative expertise available
through GSA to progress a local cultural ambition. We very much look forward to
seeing Songlines and indeed the St Kilda centre, making further progress and
the benefits this will bring to people in the Outer Hebrides.”
head of creative industries at HIE,
said: “The Creative Futures Partnership
is about applying creativity in projects that strengthen communities around the
region. It is particularly encouraging to see collaborations like this, with An
Lanntair and the Uig community tapping into the creative expertise available
through GSA to progress a local cultural ambition. We very much look forward to
seeing Songlines and indeed the St Kilda centre, making further progress and
the benefits this will bring to people in the Outer Hebrides.”
NOTES
Songlines is an initiative under the Creative Futures
Partnership between The Glasgow School of Art (the GSA) and Highlands and
Islands Enterprise (HIE). It was conceived as a public art trail by the
Uig community as part of the Ionad Hiort project, which is working to establish
a remote access visitor centre for St Kilda, based in Uig. It was
first outlined in James Rebanks 2015 report, “The St Kilda
Centre – A World Class Idea”, as a means of enhancing the journey between
Stornoway and Uig. The project is being led by the GSA’s Institute of Design
Innovation (InDI), in partnership with An Lanntair arts centre as part of their
Bealach project. Bealach is supported by Creative Scotland’s Creative Place
award, which is commissioning cultural projects across Lewis and Harris
throughout 2016/17.
Partnership between The Glasgow School of Art (the GSA) and Highlands and
Islands Enterprise (HIE). It was conceived as a public art trail by the
Uig community as part of the Ionad Hiort project, which is working to establish
a remote access visitor centre for St Kilda, based in Uig. It was
first outlined in James Rebanks 2015 report, “The St Kilda
Centre – A World Class Idea”, as a means of enhancing the journey between
Stornoway and Uig. The project is being led by the GSA’s Institute of Design
Innovation (InDI), in partnership with An Lanntair arts centre as part of their
Bealach project. Bealach is supported by Creative Scotland’s Creative Place
award, which is commissioning cultural projects across Lewis and Harris
throughout 2016/17.
The Creative Futures Partnership (CFP) is a
pioneering partnership between the GSA and HIE, established to deliver
transformational benefits for the Highlands and Islands. The CFP combines
the GSA’s strengths in creativity and innovation with HIE’s economic and
community development expertise. Through research and teaching programmes, the
partnership is committed to the long-term and sustainable development of a
creative, entrepreneurial and internationally connected region.
pioneering partnership between the GSA and HIE, established to deliver
transformational benefits for the Highlands and Islands. The CFP combines
the GSA’s strengths in creativity and innovation with HIE’s economic and
community development expertise. Through research and teaching programmes, the
partnership is committed to the long-term and sustainable development of a
creative, entrepreneurial and internationally connected region.