‘The way to Inchfuckery’ is a short story I have written to accompany Alan Grieve’s new self-published artist publication (edition of 100), of the same title, which introduces the fictional island of Inchfuckery and the community who lives on it.
This piece of fictional art writing takes as its inspiration the travelogue as a writing genre. As part of the research process I looked at the history of this trope of writing, in particular reviewing male protagonists and their journey and observation of particular landscapes and people, such as Boswell & Johnson's 'The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides' (1785) through to the more disaffected writing styles of Edwin Muir's 'Scottish Journey' (1935) or Louise Macneice's 'I Crossed the Minch' (1938). These works are also part of my literature review has also formed part of my research process for my research topics of 'Early women documentary photographers and film-makers of rural Scotland' and also 'Reading Landscape' research group.
I created the fictional character of Hamish Baker French, a writer travelling to Inchfuckery to undertake a possible writer's residency. The story captures his observations and often aversions to what he experiences on the way.
This piece of writing was also created in response to the work of artist Alan Grieve, building on previous pieces and knowledge I have accumulated by previously writing about his practice; namely 'Cemetery' review (2015), exhibition at Workspace, Dunfermline, Scotland; and 'Real Bothy', solo exhibition Kirkcaldy Art Galleries and Museum (2014). The approach to writing in this manner references the linguistic style of writing that Grieve brings to his drawings; as well as the hallucinogenic flow of his ideas through the work. This piece is narrator drive, in order to investigate how a character who is 'out of place', can act as an interface with a landscape and its people; whilst also providing a different reading to an artist's practice by echoing certain tropes of their style.
About Alan Grieve:
Alan Grieve graduated with an MFA degree from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Dundee, Scotland, in 2009. In 2011, he set up Workspace in a small shop unit in his home town of Dunfermline. He was originally trained as a hairdresser before attending art school, and Workspace operates as both a hair salon and a gallery/event space. Drawing and social engagement are the cornerstones of his practice and recent commissions vary from small-scale intimate illustrations for individuals to ambitious theatre projects with organisations such as the National Theatre of Scotland.