Contemporary Orkney Creatives….
by Bernie Bell - 07:26 on 18 September 2025
Contemporary Orkney Creatives….
I read that there’s an exhibition in the Orkney Museum presenting the work of some of Orkney’s contemporary artists and makers. Considering the ‘line up’, we wanted to go and see for ourselves, so we scanned the horizon for Liners, and ventured into Kirkwall.
The works are contemporary, but connect with Orkney through time – sometimes historically, sometimes organically, sometimes geologically.
The exhibition is in two parts. The first selection that we looked at is in the central space of the ground floor of the Museum, and the second selection is tucked in by the winding stair to the first floor.
The following is based purely on my personal preferences – and what was easiest to photograph!
To begin the main, largest part of the exhibition – Stuart Broadhurst’s wonderful objects formed from clay and stone….
…my favourite being…
And….I covet that tea-pot….
Francis Pelly’s sleeping bird and hares – the word ‘tactile’ doesn’t begin to describe them…
Plus…a group of landscapes by Francis Pelly…
….which warrant being shown separately…
As someone with a mild obsession with ancient carved stone balls……
https://theorkneynews.scot/2021/08/23/orkney-stone-balls/
………Helen Keauffling’s clay spheres caught my eye…
So much so, that we bought this one!...
In the little side-room, Kevin Gauld’s drift wood mirror…….
And a bit of Sheena Graham-George magic…
By the winding stair….I’ll start with Peter Drummond’s actual size interpretation of the Brough of Birsay Pictish stone…..
…..and take the opportunity to mention what a grand place Birsay is for a day out…
https://theorkneynews.scot/2018/03/09/didnt-we-have-a-loverly-time-the-day-we-went-to-birsay/
Followed by Marion Miller’s jewellery - inspired by finds on the Orkney sea-shore....
I particularly like Donna Eunson’s kiln-fired glass dishes…
One case holds three forms of work…..Neil Leask’s woven grass, plus Andrew and Nicky Appleby’s ceramics……
…..and examples of weaving by Marianna van der Es…
The next case has more examples of Andrew’s ceramics - his ‘Face Pot’ and ‘Fractures and Flows’…
Plus Frances Garriock’s jewellery inspired by Orkney’s past….
Then a case of absolutely ace ceramics by Kirstie Bruce…
…..my favourite being ….
I finish my tour with Robbie Thomson’s lamps....
All pieces in the exhibition are for sale…….I’m thinking Christmas presents?
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