Vatersay in the frame
The Rockfield Centre hosts a stunning photography exhibition by Paul Glazier until October 31.
Eilean | Island is a ‘lyrical’ portrait of the island of Vatersay, the most southerly-inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides and includes images taken from different periods from the 1980s to the present day.
Glazier captures the changing face of the island’s inhabitants and the landscape as time leaves its mark. The images reflect both the continuity and changes that have occurred in this community over the past three decades.
Some of the children in the original photographs now have their own children, and even grandchildren. The heart of the project is the portraits captured, but the presence of the rugged Hebridean landscape is never far away.
The exhibition is part of Everything Flows, a series of photography exhibitions and events between July and October in various coastal locations across Scotland. Everything Flows is a specially-curated, coastal exhibition trail programmed by Street Level Photoworks as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21.
Malcolm Dickson, director at Street Level Photoworks, said: ‘Each venue will present the work of different photographers so people can follow the trail over the summer to see a wide variety of exceptional work in some of Scotland’s most beautifully-located galleries. Everything Flows shines a light on some of Scotland’s places where cultural activity and cultural hubs that support them are central to the regeneration and recovery of Scotland’s places, something Rockfield provides for Oban.’
For those unable to visit the exhibitions in person, there will be a digital programme of online resources and artist talks. Glazier will be giving a talk on Thursday September 30 at 6.30pm.
Glazier grew up in London and studied fine art at Goldsmiths College, graduating in 1987. It was there he first printed his Vatersay photographs. By then he already had a strong relationship with the island, visiting since 1978 when he was 12 years old.
During his first visits back in the 1980s cameras would only be taken out for special occasions. This means that for some people Glazier’s photographs are the only images they have of family or friends from that period. Over the years they have accrued a certain historical and nostalgic value for the islanders. Glazier continues to photograph the people of the island and hopes to be able to chronicle the island for many years to come.
The exhibition is open at The Rockfield Centre from 10am-4pm and entry is free.