A first of its kind for the Isle of Lewis sees An Lanntair welcome Mìr air Mhìr (Bit by Bit) – a collaborative exhibition featuring the works of eleven art school graduates from the Western Isles.
Due to the global pandemic, Degree Shows in universities across Scotland during 2020 and 2021 were cancelled, leaving students unable to physically present their years of work to the world. In response, these island students have returned home to showcase and celebrate their final year’s work with their very own Degree Show, Mìr air Mhìr.
Artist Eilidh Mairi Macleod said: “Back in May, Mìr air Mhìr was an ambitious idea that has now been brought to life by eleven young creatives from the Isle of Lewis.
“Our motivations behind this exhibition come from our loss of opportunity due to the current pandemic. Having this shared loss amongst the group has generated a powerful team that have co-created Mìr air Mhìr.
“This exhibition is our chance to showcase our crafted work to our family, friends, and community. We look forward to sharing Mìr air Mhìr with you.”
Opening in An Lanntair’s main gallery, Mìr air Mhìr provides a space for our local art students, who have studied across Scotland, specialising in various disciplines, to present their final pieces to the local community.
The Mìr air Mhìr Exhibition Opening – taking place at 5pm on Friday 27 August – will be the first public opening An Lanntair has held in over a year. And An Lanntair also welcomes a selection of the graduate exhibitors to present an Artists Talk on Thursday 2 September, 7pm, where they will each discuss their work, studies, and collaboration in Mìr air Mhìr.
Head of Visual Arts & Literature at An Lanntair Roddy Murray said: “The past year has been a frustrating and demoralising time to be in further education. Epitomised in the art schools by the cancellation of the degree shows; the culmination of four years hard work.
“So, it’s been rewarding for us to be able to provide an alternative and showcase these eleven young graduates at An Lanntair, to ensure that their work is recognised and audiences get an insight into the remarkable levels of innovation and creativity they have achieved.”
Artists featuring in Mìr air Mhìr are Megan Davies-Smith (Three-Dimensional Design); Catherine Macdonald (Fashion and Textile Design), and Bronwyn MacKenzie (Painting), who all studied at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen.
Students from Glasgow School of Art exhibiting are Danielle Macleod (Communication Design/Photography); Rachel Kate Macleod (Communication Design/Graphic Design), and Sian Mackay (Product Design). And from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art will be Eilidh Mairi Macleod (Product Design); Freya Macleod (Interior and Environmental Design), and John Miller (Product Design).
Rounding off the band of upcoming island talent exhibiting in Mìr air Mhìr are Ross Mactaggart, who studied Computer Graphics and Animation at Robert Gordon University; and Lorna Scanlan, who completed Architecture at the University of Dundee.
The exhibition would not be possible without its generous funding partner, Harris Tweed Hebrides, along with the support of all its Kickstarter backers.
FREE to enjoy, Mìr air Mhìr opens in An Lanntair’s main gallery on August 27 and runs until 4 September.