Energy is poured into art for COP26
A talented Welsh artist whose work is being showcased in Glasgow during COP26 has compared his experience of viewing Pitlochry’s iconic dams with a visit to the Pyramids.
SSE Renewables gave professional artist Geraint Ross Evans the opportunity to set up studio in Pitlochry’s hydro power station, to create works focused on its renewable energy assets and infrastructure.
Geraint took up residence at the site for four weeks in September so that he could experience the facility first-hand along with other assets in the surrounding area.
He also visited one of the company’s wind farms as part of the project.
As well as setting up his studio in the power station, Geraint was able to access resources including images and artefacts held in the company’s archive based within the building.
His residency came about after the organisation, Sustainability First, joined forces with SSE Renewables to offer the opportunity for an artist to produce works, which would focus on climate change in the energy sector and celebrate the role of renewable energy in Scotland – past, present and future.
Now 10 of Geraint’s works are to be displayed online for members of the public to view as part of an art exhibition entitled ‘Cascades’.
The gallery of works has been launched to coincide with the start of the COP26 conference in Glasgow, of which SSE
Renewables is a principal partner.
Geraint said: “Being involved in this residency has been an incredible opportunity. The dams are really impressive monuments and it felt like I was visiting the Pyramids, given the scale of these structures and how they connect with the landscape.
“It was also great to have the opportunity to visit one of SSE Renewables’ windfarms and to experience the turbines first hand, was incredibly exciting.”
Head of heritage at SSE Renewables, Gillian O’Reilly, said: “As principal partners of COP26 and through our ongoing relationship with Sustainability First, we were able to seize this unique opportunity to bring Geraint to Pitlochry Power Station.
“Geraint has immersed himself in our business and use his artistic talents to bring it to life, and to share the story of how SSE Renewables’ harness nature to deliver Scotland’s net zero targets.
“While his works will be exhibited privately during COP26 at our offices in Glasgow, we are pleased to be able to share them online for all to enjoy.”
The exhibition can be viewed now at www. sserenewables. com/ cascadesexhibition