Case Studies

“During the month of May 2021, I was able to spend an intensive period of time working in the studio and exploring the use of new surfaces such as kaolin, mica and silver leaf, with a particular focus on the latter. I have been able to spend time exploring the possibilities of these new media and the work with silver leaf has been particularly exciting. I have been drawing and painting over the top of the silver leaf, creating surfaces that shift with the light and create an ambiguous sense of depth and reflectiveness.

Funding to research the history of women’s weaving in Orkney and explore these practices, exhibiting in Alnmouth, Northumberland and in the Get Your Tweed Out event at Kirkwall Library.

“The fund meant I was able to invest in my painting and weaving practice, developing a body of work which investigated the role of women as an Observer. I used the cloth that I had woven as a subject in my paintings, and began to question the hierarchy between different crafts.”

Funding used to train in welding practices with a local welder and software to produce professional documentation of practice as well as digital practice.

"The award allowed me to be much more ambitious with my expectations and with the scale of my work. The project has been a good stepping stone to other opportunities as the work was exposed to such a wide audience and I have gone on to collaborate with other artists and organisations I met subsequent to the exhibition."

Funding granted for establishing ways to use intaglio in particular etching processes without impact on adjacent aquatic environments by developing an ecologically sound approach to intaglio etching.

"The process of investigation has sharpened the issues that I and other creative practitioners face living on a small island. Certainly receiving the award acted as a direct stimulus to action and provided a (rare) sense of validation."

Funding granted to work with a mentor to improve knowledge and understanding of making glazes from raw materials to enable the creation of new colours and finishes in her ceramic practice.

"I couldn't have done this project without the award. I could have made some basic glazes...but it would not have been successful and therefore not have had such an impact on my work."