Window to the West

This interdisciplinary project is a collaboration between the Visual Research Centre of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art (University of Dundee) and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute).

Its title is adapted from Sorley MacLean’s poem Hallaig: ‘Tha bùird is tàirnean air an uinneig / triomh ‘m faca mi an Aird an Iar’; ‘The window is nailed and boarded / through which I saw the West.’ Funded over five years (2005-2010) by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. It is driven by three strands of activity: rethinking of the history of visual art in the Highlands and Islands; the making of contemporary art in a Highland or Highland-related context; and the exploration of the visual in Gaelic language.

The research team consists of a Dundee University group consisting of Murdo Macdonald, Will Maclean, Norman Shaw, Jane Cumberlidge, Don Addison and Lesley Lindsay (research fellow), closely supported by Arthur Watson. At Sabhal Mòr Ostaig the group consists of Norman Gillies, John Purser and Meg Bateman, with key support from the SMO development director, Donnie Munro. Based in Lewis is research advisor Finlay Macleod. The skills in this interdisciplinary group include Gaelic language and culture, contemporary art practice and history of art.

The purpose of this conference is to explore that visual culture of the Ga?idhealtachd, from both the historical and contemporary perspectives.

The event begins with an evening lecture on Thursday 24th June, by Murdo Macdonald, Professor of History of Scottish Art at the University of Dundee. His topic is A Highland Art: Reclaiming the visual for the Ga?idhealtachd.

Other guest speakers include, from Sabhal Mo?r Ostaig, a distinguished list of thinkers about Gaelic culture: Hugh Cheape, Meg Bateman, John Purser and Mike Cormack; from the University of Dundee, Lesley Lindsay, research fellow with the Window to the West project, and from the Royal Scottish Academy, Joanne Soden whose work as curator of the collections has helped to reveal the significance of their Highland aspect. Also programmed for Friday is a paper from Malcolm Maclean, who, as Director of Pro?iseact Nan Ealan has made a major contribution to the development of Ga?idhealtachd art, not least through his advocacy of An Leabhar Mo?r/The Great Book of Gaelic.

The City of Edinburgh Council has unveiled its proposals for Gaelic Education in Edinburgh today, which can be read here http://cpol.edinburgh.gov.uk/getdoc_ext.asp?DocId=141008

It is important that parents of children attending the current Gaelic Unit at Tollcross Primary School and parents with children in Croileagan as well as those thinking of placing their child in Gaelic Medium Education in Edinburgh read these proposals and respond to them just now as the Council has to take community views into consideration.

Do you think these framework the best way to develop Gaelic Medium Education in Edinburgh if yes tell us how and no let us know why you disagree with them.

You can also vote in the Evening News’ Poll today on GME -

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/CustomPages/CustomPage.aspx?PageID=80582

Published Date: 29 May 2010
© The Scotsman / Johnston Press Digital Publishing
By CATRÌONA NicilleDHUIBH
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Tlant-a39-sileadh-far-a39.6328121.jp

English Translation

You often hear people at a modern art exhibition muttering under their breath “My child could do that”.  But it isn’t often that you hear, at an exhibition of children’s art, that the work is as good as anything by a professional painter.  But that is exactly what people are saying about “Air Iomlaid”, an exhibition which has been put together by the children of Bunsgoil Shlèite and Bunsgoil Crois na Cìse in Edinburgh.  It has already been shown at the Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh, where the sort of art that wins the Turner Prize is usually seen.

“Air Iomlaid” is opening at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig this Saturday (5 June) and will run until 25 June.  It was conceived by artist Julie Brook, who has learned Gàidhlig and lives in Slèite. For twenty years she has been developing special ways of working that encourage children to discover and strengthen their own talents. And she has been successful.

At the heart of the exhibition are four big charcoal pictures, that were developed from the childrens’ individual sketch books.  There are two views of Skye and two of Edinburgh.  It makes an interesting guessing-game to work out who did which picture.

The answer is that the Edinburgh which looks so tidy and detailed is the one belonging to the children from Crois na Cìse, who found Skye to be a high, dark, wild, lonely place.  According to Brook, some of the children from the big city did not understand colour before they arrived on the island.  As soon as they started painting amidst the mountains, colours and freedom became part of their art.

The children from Slèite had plenty of freedom, but some had difficulty with form and with things dealing with structure, size and distance.  When they come to Edinburgh you see the streets falling away from each other in a town which is frightening and irregular.  On the other hand, the island seen by the Skye children is full of houses, streets and life in comparison to the romantic place the townies saw.

Before the pictures could be created, the children had months of detailed learning in their own world.  You see talent oozing from the pages of their sketch books in powerful colours, with mature choices of views and sheer enjoyment of the material.

Brook says that her intention is to ensure that children develop “fitness” as artists. She has done her work.  If there were an art Olympics, they would win the gold medal.