Our Ness to Ness art and archaeology workshop returns in August for the first time since 2019 – and with the excavations at the Ness of Brodgar closing in 2024, this will be one of the last opportunities to experience it!
The other Ness is the Ness Battery, in Stromness – a fascinating remnant of wartime Orkney. A place of contrasts, function, silence in concrete and steel…
The course takes place in Orkney and runs from August 8 until August 11, 2023.
Over the four days, participants will enjoy a mixture of fieldtrips and studio time, learning from specialists to explore themes such as time, purpose, identity, structures within landscape, and the landscape itself.
In the studio they can continue to explore and develop their ideas and experiences through a series of simple and direct print processes. These will include, and combine, mono-print, stencil cuts and ink transfer onto various paper stock, with and without a press….
Later we will add relief and intaglio processes by drawing and cutting into card (collagraphs) using a range of tools and adding selected textured elements that help give this process its unique character.
You do not need to have any previous printmaking experience to do any of these processes though some dexterity with a craft knife may prove an advantage. A demonstration will be given at every stage and all materials and tools will be provided.
- Small group (maximum eight persons)
- Learn printing processes with printmaker Charles Shearer
- Privileged viewing of Orkney’s world-class archaeology with leading specialists
To book email studyarchaeology@uhi.ac.uk Cost: £450 for four days (no concessions)
Included in the price are:
- Minibus transport to sites on field trip days from Orkney College, Kirkwall
- A private tour of Ness Battery with leading World War Two specialist Andy Hollinrake
- A private tour of the excavations at the Ness of Brodgar with site director Nick Card
- Private viewing of Neolithic art at the Ness of Brodgar with Dr Antonia Thomas
- Demonstration of Neolithic art-making techniques, materials and pigments with experimental archaeology specialist Christopher Gee
- Private tour of Stromness Museum with curator Janette Park
- Guided tours of other sites, such as the Stones of Stenness, with Dr Antonia Thomas
- Printmaking materials, teas and coffees, during studio days
What’s not included:
- Travel to Orkney
- Accommodation and meals while in Orkney
Programme
Tuesday, August 8 (09:00-17:00 approx.)
- Meet at Orkney College. Introduction to workshop
- Fieldtrip to Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site – Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness (accompanied by archaeologist Dr Antonia Thomas)
- Fieldtrip to Ness Battery, Stromness, with Andy Hollinrake
- Shore walk at Warebeth, Stromness to explore the inspiration for Neolithic art
Wednesday, August 9 (09:30-16:30 approx.: Orkney College Art Studio)
- Introduction to printing processes with Charles Shearer
Thursday, August 10 (09:00-17:00 approx.)
- Fieldtrip to the Ness of Brodgar for private tour of excavations, viewing of rock art recovered from the site, and demonstration of Neolithic art-making techniques
- Visit to Pier Arts Centre, Stromness
- Tour of Stromness Museum with curator Janette Park
Friday, August 11 (09:30-16:30 approx.: Orkney College Art Studio)
- Continuation of print making with Charles Shearer (course ends at 16:30).
At Orkney College UHI, we run a range of courses exploring art and archaeology, from single modules for CPD to a full MA Contemporary Art & Archaeology. Many of these are available online.
For more information, please email studyarchaeology@uhi.ac.uk
