|
You
are here: St
Kilda Today > Art, Language and Culture Art, Language and Culture Ian Davidson, Conservation Manager for the National Trust of Scotland at Castle Fraser was recently presented with an Artist's Proof copy of the Hirta Portfolio. The Portfolio, which commemorates the culture and evacuation of St Kilda, is the unique product of a creative collaboration between writer Bill Duncan and Susan Wilson, Printmaker. Produced in Dundee Contemporary Arts Print Studio, the folio is based on a suite of poems written by Bill Duncan after working on a National Trust for Scotland archaeological dig on St Kilda. Haunted by the landscape and history of the island, he felt impelled to tell the story of St Kilda through images in a suite of five short poems.
The
etchings made by Susan Wilson, as illustrations to the five poems,
reflect both the content of the poems and the strong affinity she
felt for the writing, and contain both personal response and historical
detail. Word and image flow together in a seamless whole, which
forms a poignant tribute to the islanders and their way of life.
The final form of the portfolio was in part dictated by the paper chosen for the etchings, BFK Rives Tan, which was also used for the poems, both interleaved with translucent Japanese paper printed with details from the map of the Village Street and the titles of the etchings. The poems and interleaves were screenprinted by Steph Masterson of DCA Print Studio; the portfolio was made by Emma Fraser, who works part-time in the Studio and in the Conservation Unit of Dundee University. The Hirta Portfolio is produced in a limited edition of thirty six, one for each of the islanders evacuated from St Kilda on 29th August 1930. The back lining of the portfolio is printed with their names and, unusually, this edition is not being sold consecutively; buyers may choose a particular name and house if they so wish. Enquiries
to:
|
|||
