Lighthouse residency for textiles graduate Connie

Shetland College graduate Connie Flynn is the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse artist-in-residence during June.

She is a textile and stained glass maker whose creativity has evolved through experimenting and combining traditional techniques and modern practices.

Connie uses a variety of materials in her work, which is done by both hand and machine.

She said: “During this residency I hope to explore a new subject, taking inspiration from researching the social history aspect of the keepers and their families who have lived and worked at the lighthouse. I will record my findings of quotes and stories gathered in a sketchbook, this will progress into using recycled fabrics, creating different surface effects with hand-stitched techniques to represent my interpretation of these experiences.

“I look forward seeing how my work develops. This is a really exciting opportunity.”
Connie has completed the college’s Contemporary Textiles honours course, gaining distinction.

Throughout this month Connie will be meeting community groups. She will give a talk about creating textile work while resident at the lighthouse on Wednesday at 2pm and repeated at 6pm. The work she makes during her time at the lighthouse will be shown in an Open Studio event in the Muckle Roe Light in the visitors car park on Sunday from 11am to 4pm.