Artists take up Viking challenge
More than a dozen Shetland artists have taken up the challenge from a local gallery owner to create new pieces of work about the plans for a massive wind farm in the islands’ central mainland.
Among those exhibiting at Dorota Rychlik’s Vaila Fine Art gallery, in Lerwick’s Commercial Street, are Paul Bloomer, Mike McDonnell, Peter Davis, Gail Harvey, Davy Inkster, Ron Sanford and Richard Swales.
Most pieces reflect a deep unease with the proposal to erect 154 huge wind turbines on Shetland’s peat moorland.
Ms Rychlik said the initial inspiration for the exhibition ‘2 Lge 4 ZE / 2 Small 4 the PLANET’ came from a letter by local artist Paul Bloomer, which was entitled ‘I had a dream’ when it was first published on the Shetland News website on 24 March.
“Vaila Fine Art waived the usual commission on the sales of the items from this exhibition, encouraging the artists to spend the proceeds ethically,” she said.
“The contents and quality are not censored or curated by the gallery, merely enthusiastically received and presented.”
The gallery continues to accept new works of arts on the wind farm theme to be added to the exhibition.
“All media, including work previously unshown and unheard at the gallery, are welcome. Polite language is preferred,” Ms Rychlik said.
“The exhibition in the panelled front room of the gallery will continue until the need for it ceases to exist. Representatives of Viking Energy are welcome to browse.”
The work on show can also be viewed on Vaila Fine Art’s own website at www.vailafineart.co.uk
Hans J Marter
12 May 2008
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Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
