I was delighted to be selected for this residency in Birsay, on the North West coast of Orkney’s Mainland. Facilitated by Tracy Mackenna alongside artists Jacqueline Blanchard, Ali Darke, Maddie Brooks Gillespie, Eilidh Guthrie, Madi Hough, Rona Kennedy, Mauriah Donegan Kraker, Sophia Matthews and Maria Viña, the programme was based in the Linkshouse, a dedicated arts space with breathtaking views across the bay.

The multidisciplinary group of residents creative practices encompassed textiles, writing, research, audio, ceramics, site specific, curation, performance, movement, drawing and sculpture. Alongside presentations, idea exchange and feedback sessions, we also took part in workshops with artist Anne Bevan, archaeologists Mark Edmonds and Dan Lee; exploring site specific ways of working, mapping techniques and the relationship between arts and archaeology.

Seals in Birsay Bay

Birsay Bay was filled with wildlife, including a large colony of rabbits in Misery Mound, the meadow behind the house, red admiral butterflies, seals, gulls and starlings mumering in the skies. We found multiple mermaid’s purses from the flapper skate along the shore and the rockpools were populated with crabs and prawns at low tide. Beachcombing gave us a wealth of materials to work with, including spectacular strands of kelp, unusual wave patterned rocks, sea glass and a large amount of bones, including many belonging to a Minke Whale - a profound reminder of the dynamic forces at play through the strength of the Atlantic waves pounding the rocks and the power of the ever constant wind whipping its path across the island.

We also had the opportunity to visit Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar, two of Orkney’s most important neolithic sites.

Waves breaking on the skerries off the Brough of Birsay

Themes explored during the residency included: Materiality, mapping, movement, reflection, immersion, collaboration, responsiveness, deep time, mythology building, fragility, energy, land and sea, exploration, sharing, presence, journeys, shared trauma, patterns, skill sharing and how generosity reduces barriers.

The week concluded with the group designing a ritual using the found whale bones, encompassing movement and song to celebrate the location and the themes, feelings and friendships that had developed throughout our time on Orkney.

Through lively conversation, laughter and the sharing of ideas, the residents left this week with a shared sense of inspiration, increased confidence and a desire to collaborate further moving forward.

Collaborative and site specific installation work using whale bones washed up on Birsay Beach.

My participation in this residency was made possible through the support of the Creative Scotland Open Fund for Individuals, as the first part of the research and development project ‘Between Sea and Sky: Connecting to the landscape of Orkney’. This project is allowing me the opportunity to expand my practice beyond traditional photography; to encompass sensory elements including sound, sculpture and develop ways of working that are more interactive to engage with a wider audience.

The Linkshouse, Birsay

The Ring of Brodgar

Framing the landscape with Anne Bevan

Working with found materials

Mermaid’s Purse on the shoreline

Mapping workshop with Dan Lee

Making cyanotypes on the beach

Whalebone Ritual at the end of the Residency