orkney homage 2015

details

A long awaited visit to the Orkney Islands of Scotland, drawn by its vast Neolithic archeology - stone arrangements and constructions, the violence of its high cliffed craggy shorelines and the sandstone bedrock, led to three impromptu works at the sites of Skara Bare, Brough of Birsay and Yesnaby.

Each work was constructed in direct response to an urge whilst immersed in the experience of the given site, upon a naturally tilted raised stone slab, using stone gathered in the immediate vicinity.

homage 1 - skara brae

:::: site ... a remote beach near Skara Brae, on west coast of mainland Orkney, facing the harbour
:::: spherical arrangement on inclined slab
:::: approximately 70-80cm in diameter

homage 2 - brough of birsay

:::: site ... on a natural causeway linking Brough of Birsay (an uninhabited island) on the north coast of mainland Orkney
:::: causeway visible/accessible only at low tides
:::: free form on inclined slab
:::: form prescribed by large standing inner stone, around which drywall arrangement is made
:::: approximately 80-90cm in height

homage 3 - yesnaby

:::: site ... on remote cliff at Yesnaby, on west coast of mainland Orkney
:::: individual stone elements chosen for possessing crude flat outer faces
:::: some elements shaped using stone or dropping slabs onto straight cliff edges
:::: cubic arrangement on inclined slab
:::: approximately 80-90cm in height

artist statement

Could not resist the urge ...