Visual Arts
Mhairi Killin, Visual Artist in Residence
Over the last twenty years Mhairi Killin has emerged as a distinctive voice in Scottish Contemporary Art. The recipient of many awards including an SAC Creative Development Award in 2007 the artist has consistently challenged public perception and expectation of Fine Art and Craft disciplines. Mhairi’s family history of silversmithing and weaving together with study at Glasgow School of Art (BA Honours), Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee (Master of Philosophy, Public Art) and studies in Field Archaeology at Glasgow University have informed her ongoing exploration of her environment, past and present. Throughout the development of her studio practice Mhairi has drawn inspiration from the rich artistic traditions of her maternal home on the Isle of Iona where she has established a gallery and studio, developing the site in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland.
During the residency at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Mhairi will be exploring the relationship between faith, creativity and landscape, developing concepts for new work in relation to Skye’s environment. Through a series of open afternoons in the studio, she will engage staff and students in conversations about the role of visual language within Gaelic culture and open up discussion about the role of an artist within an organizational context.
www.mhairikilin.com
samhuinngubealtuinn.wordpress.com
Kath MacLeod, Arts Development Officer
Kath MacLeod, from Ardvasar in Sleat, is the Arts Development Officer and brings a wealth of arts development and education experience to the post. Her professional background is primarily in the visual arts but she has been involved in a range of different interdisciplinary arts projects including An Dealbh Mòr (the big picture) which incorporated visual arts, music and dance, on which she was the lead Gaelic Artist. Kath works alongside the Visual Artist in Residence on various projects and she is also involved in internal exhibitions at the College.
These posts are funded by Creative Scotland as part of a 3 year programme.