Lightfoot woodcuts to go on show at Da Gadderie

A new exhibition of woodcut prints by Norwegian artist Amy Lightfoot opens in Da Gadderie at Shetland Museum and Archives on Sunday.

Amy has travelled to Shetland many times over the last 21 years, in search of knowledge about traditional craft and crofting skills. Ever since her first visit in 1990, she has felt a special affinity for the people and landscapes of Shetland.

Many of the people Amy has spoken to were born in Shetland during the late 1890s and early part of the 20th century. Her research for the exhibition, which has included hundreds of hours of interviews, mainly focused on the close connection between sheep husbandry and textile production.

Amy said: “When reading transcripts of interviews taped over the years, the word ‘hømin’, meaning twilight, has come to my mind. The twilight of a rapidly disappearing tradition of skills from the time of their able working life, which is why I chose to call this exhibition Høminland.”

John Hunter, Shetland Museum and Archives exhibitions officer, said: “Amy has chosen woodcuts as her medium to best illustrate elements of her ethnological research. This type of printing technique, as well as Amy’s compositional skill brings a simple clarity to the images. The style is also in keeping with the times portrayed, reinforcing these narratives. There are a broad range of subjects illustrated, from ‘Windy Craa’ to ‘Light in da lum’ which makes for a show full of nostalgia and glimpses of a Shetland past.”

There will be an artist’s talk in Da Gadderie at lunch time on Monday. This will begin at 12.15pm and admission is free.

There are two cabinets in Da Gadderie displaying Museum artefacts that link in with the themes of the exhibition. Hay’s Dock Café Restaurant will also be offering traditional fare to coincide with the show.