current exhibition at the gallery: marking time

marking time: a collaborative exhibition by Leila and Jo Thomson.

Working on the theme of time, Mum and I have both produced artwork in response to the Sand O' Wright beach in Hoxa, South Ronaldsay. Shapes and colours from this beach occur repeatedly in both our work. The ebb and flow of the tide marks both time and the contours of the beach.

Our last collaboration was in 2010 during my final year of university. We both enjoyed it so much that we thought it was about time we worked together again.

I spent a few days sketching and taking photographs at the Sand O' Wright when I was researching ideas for my pieces. I thought to myself that I probably looked quite strange standing in the sea in my big coat and wellies with a sketchbook and piece of charcoal in hand. At one point I wasn't paying attention to where I was standing and an unexpected wave rushed past and soaked my trousers and went inside my wellies. Serves me right for standing too far in, although it was the best way to observe tide lines!