Moorland Plain by Mairi Morrison
Isle of Lewis artist, and campaigner against wind farms
www.mwtlewis.org.uk
Moorland Plain - Mointeach
Comhnard
In this painting I have chosen to
highlight one of the monumental manmade structures found on the moor,
looking at it from a conceptual point of view and integrated into the natural environment.
The space surrounding the stone is vast and the hot orange colour depicts the heat of the afternoon sun.
looking at it from a conceptual point of view and integrated into the natural environment.
The space surrounding the stone is vast and the hot orange colour depicts the heat of the afternoon sun.
The moors are dotted with such stone
cairns and old sheilings, often unapproached by visitors.
| Artistic education
Studied
at Glasgow School of Art
Diploma, Graphic Design - Cardonald
College
Artist Statement
Most of my work is based on the
landscape and culture of the strongly Celtic Western Isles of
Scotland. The Gaelic culture and language is very important to me
and I endeavour to capture this in my work. My exhibition Wind
from the Wilderness ran alongside the Hebridean Celtic Festival in
July of 2003. It concentrated on the vast moorland of northwest
Lewis, bordered by the Atlantic ocean.
The
area is mostly barren with little trace of human presence. Stone
ruins sinking into peaty terrain and the occasional abandoned car are
telling, while the panoramic views are reminiscent of North America's
Great Plains or the Australian Outback.
On this large and blank canvas the
weather is a dominant feature, dictating the temperament, appearance
and ambience of the landscape. It can also be equally dramatic
when calm prevails, the wonderful light changes highlighting the full
range of colour of the moors.
In my work I explore through the use
of colour the lyrical and spiritual aspects of this sometimes harsh,
yet dramatic, landscape |