SLAY LAND, in collaboration with Oliver Smart and Igarashi Washi, Echizen.
Islay Land is a site-responsive paper installation created in collaboration with Oliver Smart, comprising of thirteen handmade mulberry paper discs made by Igarashi Washi, Echizen, Japan. Infused with mica pigment, held by oak supporting hoops, suspended in dynamic balance with stainless steel micro cabling in hand machined brass fittings, 120 x 240 cm, Winter 2023.
Concentric circles are suspended above the spiral staircase leading visitors from the reception area to the bright open space of the Port Ellen Distillery welcome lounge. The washi discs are illuminated by the daylight from the large sky lights, gracefully and independently rotating in response to people climbing the stairs. The form of Islay Land references the distinct architecture of the square white lighthouse Carraig Fhada, prominent on the Southern coastline horizon from the distillery balcony. The sculpture also references the topography of Islay and its ancient standing stones; the shape of the copper stills and as a suggestion of the evaporation process and notion of the ‘angels share’. The choice of thirteen discs reflect the thirteen full moons that we experienced in 2023.
Quartz-rich metamorphic marine sandstone makes up the geology of Islay. Mica-schists contain quartz and mica, and in applying ground mica pigment to the edges of each paper disc, Islay Land speaks to the history and heritage of the isle of Islay, known to many as ‘Queen of the Hebrides’.
PORT ELLEN DISTILLERY
In a landmark moment for Scotch Whisky, Port Ellen Distillery, on the world-famous whisky island of Islay reopened this Spring more than 40 years after it closed. The re-envisioned distillery features ultra-modern design with an unobstructed line of sight through the transparent glass stillhouse to the stunning coastline of Islay, across the bay to Carraig Fhada lighthouse. At the centre of this rebirth are two new pairs of copper pot stills that will produce the first Port Ellen in over forty years. The Phoenix stills, recreated as an exact replica of the original stills from 1983, will run alongside a smaller set of Experimental stills, to allow for innovation to flourish from inception.
I am deeply grateful to both QEST and Diageo for the opportunity to create this body of work, to Clare and Ewen at Hearts & Feints for commissioning the work, to Willy and his team for a seamless install, and to Ali and Emily at Port Ellen Distillery for their enthusiasm and sensitivity.
*The making of this artworks was made possible by the ingenuity and skill of Oliver Smart and the clear thinking and all round support of Jan Breckenridge.
Drawing courtesy of Oliver Smart, Photographs courtesy of Jan Breckenridge.