Orkney student steers final project home

An art student from Orkney is basing her degree project on the picturesque seascapes of home after moving to Aberdeen to follow her dream.

Anna Younie, 23, who is studying three dimensional design at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) Gray’s School of Art, was interviewed for Gray’s communication design course, but during the visit, her mind was changed and she chose 3D Design.

Now in her final year, she has decided to bring the essence of home to her final project.

Miss Younie said: “Orkney has always been commended for its wealth of scenery and being away from home really made me appreciate just how inspiring it was. Looking at the stone circles at Brodgar and Stenness, and researching the wide ranges of textures found along the coast, I am producing large scale ceramic vessels that reflect both of these areas.

“The large simplistic forms were inspired by the standing stones and their detailed surface texture reflects the way the sea has eroded the land over the years.”

Anna is planning to head back home to further develop her craft, using the island’s vibrant craft scene as motivation.

She added: “I plan to move home in the hopes of setting up my own practice. Orkney’s craft scene does particularly well for such a small community and lots of crafters and makers thrive from the endless amounts of inspiration Orkney has to offer.”