Earthbound

This exhibition presents an exploration of the clay earths that were deposited on Orkney during the last Ice Age and were used in traditional craft and construction. From the large deposits of gold and red clay to the smaller amounts of exotic blues, greens, whites and blacks found in special locations. Some are stony, sandy or silty, while others are oily and organic, influenced by peat that built up on top.

Thirteen different locations on three islands are represented here by their earths, in raw form rammed into cubes, and as polished spheres. Sourcing and making these contemporary artefacts is part of a rich dialogue with Place and Past though Orkney’s earths and it’s heritage  community. It explores a human connection through making that is 5,500 years old, embedded in muscles, memories and landscape. But it also signals a re-connection with natural and local materials that is part of our response to the Climate and Nature Emergency.