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The Landowner
The pandemic was truly horrible for many people. Determined to make the best of it, I took advantage of the restrictions to focus on what I could do rather than fret about what I couldn't. Capitalising on a lack of distractions I carried out new research and experimented freely in the local landscape. Walking along rivers and through the forests and uplands of Southern Scotland I established a new practice using lens-based media, sound and landscape performance. It's been fascinating to delve into subjects as diverse as botanical illustration, plant morphology, folk horror, Border ballads, the politics of forestry, land ownership and agricultural economics. I'm now gathering all my preparatory work under the canopy of a new project which I've named The Landowner. I've started this project by filming the first of a series of short films with me and the landscape both in the frame. I want to make sound design an important element of this ongoing series. I'm particularly inspired by the new generation of excellent British landscape film-makers. From a study of their work I've been led back to the the pioneering landscape artists. I'm indebted to all of them and one day I hope to be able to position myself somewhere in the middle of this rich mix. Whatever happens I can be sure of two things - there's never any shortage of landscape round here and I'm (usually) able to rely on myself to turn up for the shoot. |
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