Blas Fàs Artist Talk by Mairi Gillies

Over the last year Mairi Gillies has been developing a new commission with ATLAS Arts, exploring Feannagan / ridge and furrow ('lazy bed') culture locally. She has been making a new series of art works to be exhibited in Skye and Lewis in 2027 - including sculptures, tools, and stone works - exploring the preparation of new feannagan, the making and function of related tools, and lived memories of their use.

The journey has also included growing (and protecting) crops, pursuing a commission to reproduce a cas chrom, understanding the key role of women in preparing and working the ground, and sessions with the local primary school. Learning through sowing, lifting, making and talking, Mairi is nearly ready to think about what she might share as artwork through this process. Come along to hear more ahead of her trip to Skye on 4-6 November, and her exhibition in Spring 2027.