Portrait of Stromness – A Burgh of Barony 200 Anniversary Exhibition, The Pier Arts Centre, Orkney. I was invited to contribute to this exhibition spanning 2 centuries of art practice located around the Arcadian town of Stromness. In this exhibition I revisited the ideas and objects I had constructed during an earlier solo exhibition at the Gallery: A Dream of The Hamnavoe Free State. In this work I asked, Can a poetic reconstruction of an anarchist commune that never existed in a specific geographic location provide a dynamic fulcrum on which to reflect on problems and possible new developments of contemporary society." The methodology is explored through an interactive exhibition where the audience must engage to re construct the uncertain identity of this paradigm.

This exhibition is a celebration of Stromness through paintings, prints and photographs bringing together a cross section of historic and contemporary works of art that show how artists have studied, interpreted and re-presented images of the historic town.
Portrait of Stromness forms part of the town’s Per Mare celebrations and offers a unique insight into the work of the many creative people who have worked in Stromness, both as visiting professionals and those resident in the town from over the last 200 years.

The exhibition offers a unique insight into the many creative people who have worked in Stromness, both as visiting artists and those resident in the town, across a variety of media including drawing & painting, photography and prints, from the 18th century to the present day.

While the exhibition provides a fulsome portrait of Stromness, many other depictions of the town will exist in homes in Orkney and beyond as well as in collections around the world. To complement the exhibition, the Pier Arts Centre is inviting people to submit images of works of art featuring Stromness for a special on-line gallery.

• Organisation