Monday, 30 May 2016

Kirstin Wishart Degree Show 2016


This exhibition is the culmination of 4 years hard study and is a thought provoking
installation in response to her mothers secondary breast cancer.

I don`t want to give to much away but for a sneak peek go to




Form & Function

Form & Function
Eight Orkney Makers
23 April-4 June 2016
Pier Arts Centre


This latest exhibition at the PAC celebrates the quality and diversity of
 design and craft all of which is produced in Orkney.

Zoe Davidson
Jeweller

Zoe`s current work focuses on the geometric structures of the
 man-made blocks that form the Churchill Barriers.

From the collection `Barriers`

Kerrianne Flett
Ceramics

Kerrianne`s bowls have strong echoes of Japanese vessels, each pot evolves 
on the wheel the randomness of the glaze gives individual 
character making every piece unique.


Kevin Gauld
Furniture Maker

Kevin`s furniture is based on using traditional materials and techniques. 
From Orkney chairs to more innovative contemporary designs 
such as this beautiful mirror.



Hilary Grant
Knitter

Hilary`s knitting textiles are inspired by the small details of things 
around her from the patterns of the shoreline to textures 
on weathered fencing stabs.


Emma Thomson
Jeweller

Emma`s works with non-precious materials such as copper, stone
 and polmer clay to create these wonderfully unique pieces of jewellery. 
She also uses photographic laser transfers onto wood
 which adds another dimension.


Marielle Thomson
Textile designer

At the centre of Marielle`s design is her love of nature. Her fabrics use both 
traditional and digital methods of design and production.

Close-up of cushion cover

Robbie Thomson
Furniture Maker

Recycling waste materials and discarded objects Robbie creates `one of a kind`
 functional and desirable objects. Copper pipe, wood and sandstone
 are brilliantly crafted into practical items and were some of my favourites of the exhibition.



Kirsteen Stewart
Textile designer

Kirsteen`s work is bold and colourful, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources 
such as the landscape, lines of maps and the movement of light. 
These are all connected to the experience of island life.

The wall was like a giant mood board and gave a real
 insight into the design  process.



As an student in Fine Art Textiles this was truly an inspirational exhibition!!!
For more information go to


Sunday, 8 May 2016

Journey`s End!



Last port of call for my sculpture `Voyage`

With the end of the Open Windows Exhibition and the sale of my sculpture 
 it was time to take it to its final destination, a lovely garden in Queens Street, Kirkwall.



I am delighted to see that this piece will be kept outside where the steel 
will corrode leaving a wonderful patina and the rope weathers naturally. 
  I hope `Voyage` will age beautifully and its new owner has 
many years of enjoyment from it!



Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Creative Practise 3 & Professional Practise 2

Yesterday saw the final set up of my CP 3 
and also the end of PP 2.

With limited space in OC art department,I choose two key pieces from the
 Pier Arts Centre exhibition that I felt best represented my work.




I was really pleased with the painted plinth and the 
different perspective it gave to the sculptures.

Professional Practise 2 consisted of four outcomes presented in folders these were
Outcome 1 - Portfolio with CV, artist statement, images of work and business card
Outcome 2 - a digital version of the above on a DVD
Outcome 3 - folder of opportunities
Outcome 4 - this was the PAC exhibition with it`s key elements in 
curation, interpretation & marketing/PR

I found this year very challenging but know that I`ve done everything to the best of my ability and given it my all (and some), I`ll just have to wait til June to see if it was enough!! (fingers crossed)!

Other BA students were also set up for marking................

Level 1`s Spatial Practise module

Sarah Wylie 
`Viewfinder`

Striking photography

Maureen McCubbin 
`The Space Beyond the Door`

Intriguing title to her installation.

Wendy Barker

This was very cleverly done

Jane Glue

Playful use of materials

Norman Cockett


Although unfinished I really love the concept of this piece

Level 2 Creative Practise 1

Jean Tulloch

Jean`s balloons representing a celebration of life!!
Brought a smile to my face!
Ruth Tait

I found these pieces very evocative,
many a tale told over a cup o tea.
Level 2 Creative Practise 2

Beccy May

Beccy`s work with water and the human form is simply beautiful

These images are just a small portion of the works produced 
and there was some really exciting ideas and thoughts,
 I can`t wait to see how these are developed next semester.
 













Poppies: Weeping Windows





Several thousand hand made ceramic poppies cascade down from a 
small window on the west end of the St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. 
This spectacular display comes to Orkney as part of the commemorative events,
 marking the centenary of the Battle of Jutland, the most significant naval battle of WW1.

Poppies:Weeping Windows is from the installation Blood Swept Lands and Sea of Red
that was originally on show at the Tower of London in 2014, a collaborative
 project between artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper.

More information about the Jutland battle, Orkney`s commemorative events and the original installation can be found on links below: