Creativity abounds Beyond the Bothy
Lovelocks reclaimed from a famous footbridge in Pitlochry are just one of the quirky inspirations for artworks on display at an Open Studios exhibition.
A group of artists based around Pitlochry have tailored their work to perfectly suit the historic Perthshire Open Studios (POS) venue they will be showing at.
Called ‘Beyond The Bothy’, the artists will pop up in the Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre this year during the Perthshire-wide event for artists from September 7-15.
The group of six artists have taken up residence in the centre (venue 137 on the red route) and will offer a range of curative creations including installations, textiles, ink artworks, ceramics, prints, basketry and audio incantations.
“This eye-catching exhibition aims to leave visitors feeling highly energised and creatively enhanced,” said Dylan Gibson, one of the six involved.
“We are responding as artists to the venue and creating all new work around that venue. This is quite unique, as POS is about opening artist studios and existing/continuing work - so responding like this is a different way to come at it.”
Dylan has asked people living and working in the community if they would volunteer as sitters and have their portrait created in biro pen.
“I was initially drawn to the faces in the photographs of the people who had lived and worked in the area long ago,” he explained.
“This inspired me to develop my skills in portraiture to capture the likenesses of the people I regularly interact with. I hope to create a snapshot of the people who live and work here now to contrast with those faces from the past.”
Ciara Gibson’s work has always had strong links to the landscape, focusing on the importance of that sense of place and belonging.
She’s explored the local trees, interpreting their characteristics in ceramics and print.
Another contributor to the Bothy Collective is Giles Conisbee: “My work is also a response to the items, information and images on display in the heritage centre.
“And the building itself has also been a source of inspiration as it was formerly a place of worship, now a place of record. It’s a place where things come to rest.
“I have composed word-works like a ‘Love Letter to Flax’ and ‘A Prayer for Plastic’. These take a variety of forms and mediums using audio, paper, cloth and plastic.”
His other half, Ruth Morris (aka Roobedo), said of her textile work: “I am inspired by the history of the flax and linen industry that was once so prevalent in Moulin.
“It is said that the women spun enough linen yarn to pay the rent. I’m struck by the parallels with today’s textile industry, many garments are made today by women working long hours and (often) unpaid overtime.
“I’ve sourced cloth from the last linen manufacturer in Scotland and made a selection of dresses, coats and accessories. I’m hoping my work will start a conversation about what we are wearing.”
A fan of recycling, her second inspiration is boxes of lovelocks that were removed from the swing bridge over the River Tummel earlier this year and kept for several months in Pitlochry Library in the hope that they will be reclaimed. There was a request to store them at the heritage centre as a record.
“These beautiful, heartfelt symbols became a cause of decay - having to be removed to keep the bridge safe.
“I have developed hand drawn images from my photographs which I then screen printed onto a selection of tea towels, cards and scarves,” added Ruth.
Kirsty Bogle’s creative practice has emerged from the natural environment. Moulin’s history of bonnet making has provided the inspiration for her knitted bonnets, updated as beanie-style hats, made from organic Shetland wool, dyed using local Perthshire plants.
Farming has been a huge part of the daily life of sixth Bothy Collective member, Gillian Griffiths.
She said: “I love following the lines and contours that are made through the working of the land and the patterns and textures that are created very much inspire my work.
“Upon visiting the Moulin Kirk I was captured by the history of farming in the area, and I was particularly fascinated by ‘ploughgangs’ working the horses.
“I will be creating woven pieces of artwork which will represent the textures and contours of the land but also highlight the importance of the women at the time, who would use the flax, which was commonly grown in the area.”
Beyond The Bothy is located in Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre at Moulin Kirk.
All creations are available to buy. Open daily, 10am to 4pm, except Sundays when it’s open 11am to 4pm.