This morning there was a gentle breeze, pale sunshine, and big black clouds on the horizon – standard Orkney weather except the wind is usually much stronger.
After a personal tour of Structure 10, I drew some of the diggers, a hole where an orthostat had been robbed in the Neolithic, and a distant archaeological conversation.
This afternoon the light changed with constant light cloud – so a second small oil painting was completed.
There is an interesting hole in one corner of Structure 10, where they are planning further excavation – one to watch…
There are two sides to my work, practice and reflection. Here at the Ness of Brodgar there is much to draw, paint, and many sounds to record. But I also feel a need to keep a handle on the thinking that underpins the practical stuff. So because my time here is limited there is something of a conflict between getting as much material as possible to take away and knowing what to concentrate on. Perhaps the best strategy while I am on site is to metaphorically put one foot in front of the other – i.e. make the work and see where it leads. Let reflection happen as and when it will.
So today, while recording the call of the resident Oyster Catcher, I drew the new extension being created in Trench J
I was also witness to the discovery of a small axe and the lifting of a very large quernstone.
For more details about these, go to the Ness of Brodgar Dig Diary
Previously I have said that human activity is my primary focus. But that is not the whole story. To clarify, it is the place in which people, including myself, are located that is the anchor for my work. That to me is the essence of a residency. So at the Ness of Brodgar, it is the archaeological site that encompasses the archaeologists, and my artist’s residency. Everything also links back to the human activity of the Neolithic people, and although we can never be certain what they were doing and why, they were extremely productive in terms of building and making artefacts – just like we are today.
First painting completed. Looking across the site towards the Loch of Harray, with a couple of diggers, and some random creatures.
Drawing of the day: the Oyster Catcher on the spoil heap now has a friend.
And that is the end of my first week on site. More next week…
The first part of the day was spent putting up pictures to advertise the Artists in Residence, in the hope of sales – directing people to my website at karenwallis.co.uk. This was followed by a trip into Kirlkwall in search of a piece of red carpet for the world premiere event, showing my film on site. There was no conclusive success but a possibility for adapting something.
Back on site in time for a couple of drawings. Catching up on progress in Structure 12.
A final drawing of kit being put away into the barn at the end of the day.
Weather permitting, back on site for a full day tomorrow.
