‘Moder Dy‘, an exhibition of contemporary forms of indigenous Shetland craft, has opened at the Bonhoga Gallery on Shetland.

The exhibition, which shows the diverse range of crafts currently being produced in the islands, was organised through the Shetland Arts Trust’s Indigenous Craft Development Project and shows new work by around forty makers, designers and applied artists.
 
The title, ‘Moder Dy’, means ‘mother-wave’; an everpresent series of strong outgoing waves in the sea moving out from the Shetland landmass in response to incoming, deep ocean currents. In past centuries, fishermen in open boats were aware of the moder dy, and after fishing out of sight of Shetland, could use the direction of the moder dy to navigate homewards. 

Hazel Hughson, indigenous craft development officer, explains “Moder Dy is about the incoming and outgoing movement or ideas, to and from Shetland, and represents the way that island- based craftmaking is constantly developing, by absorbing new, incoming techniques and influences. New ideas are absorbed and adapted into established methods,  their effect expressed outwards as fresh ideas,  developed in the crafts and applied arts made in Shetland, and often sold outside the islands, representing Shetland’s creative culture.”

“Many exhibitors have developed work from the exhibition theme, and through design and use of materials, show their own personal interpretation and visual responses to the sea. Other new works show the influence of other cultures, brought in through travel, research or past cultural influences on Shetland, explored and expressed through the craftmakers’ own skilled use of their Shetland craft techniques.

“Some local designers, makers and artists have been challenged by the Moder Dy theme to make new forms of work in new directions, and some exhibits show a fresh approach to locally sourced raw materials. The exhibition attempts to move boundaries a bit in the concept of ‘Shetland craft’, it is contemporary work, and will hopefully raise some discussion, and question the meaning of ‘craftwork’.

The exhibition includes woodworking, basketmaking, feltmaking, embroidery, knitting, weaving, ceramics, furniture, bookmaking, jewellery and calligraphy.

The exhibition is on from 3 February until 5 March at the Bonhoga Gallery, Weisdale Mill,  Shetland.  Opening hours Tuesday to Saturday 10.30 am to 4.30pm and Sunday 12 noon to 4.30pm.