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| As part of modular outpost, a week-long residency is offered on the Isle of Lewis, the largest island in the Outer Hebrides, which lie off the northwest coast of Scotland. This is a chance to experience the very edge of the British Isles, a liminal place both geographically and culturally, where ancient traditions and ways of life struggle to coexist with 1970s kit-built architecture and brutal weather. The successful applicant will be based on the West coast of the Island, in a landscape of horizons – with the Atlantic on one side (with hundreds of beautiful, empty beaches dotted along the coast), and the seemingly unending Barvas Moor on the other. Lewis also has a very high concentration of Gaelic speakers, and Gaelic culture is important for the perpetuation of local identity and for tourism, and alongside the variety of ecological, geological, architectural and social interests, will provide plenty of research interests. There is no pre-desired outcome, but it is hoped that this opportunity will provide someone with time and space away from their day-to-day routine, and a chance to engage with what the Island and its people have to offer. There may be the possibility of arranging an exhibition of the participant’s work, at the time of the residency or at a later date. The basic but flexible studio space provided is an outbuilding at the local Post Office, with electricity and plenty of space, and a constant supply of tea and gossip from the Postmistress. Accommodation for the week will be a small private room in a house rented by a friendly couple (an artist and a primary school teacher), 15 minutes walk from the studio space and about 4 minutes from the white sand beach. The weather can be foul and unpredictable up here, but there are plenty of buses to get around, and there may be possibilities of day trips in the Gusto the car. This opportunity is offered for a nominal fee of £50 to cover admin/electricity. Travelling to Lewis needn’t be expensive, but it can take a while – a Citylink bus service runs from Inverness to Ullapool, from where the ferry to Stornoway leaves. Regular buses and trains serve Inverness. Alternatively, there are direct flights to Stornoway from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. Prices for these vary depending on the day, but if booked in advance, these can be very worth it – 45 mins on a plane rather than 5 – 8 hours on the bus. Pickups/drop offs can be arranged. To apply for this opportunity please send a PDF file containing a statement about your practice, 2 images of your work and a proposal for your time in the project space to chris.mackie@live.com. Any questions can be emailed to chris.mackie@live.com |
