HIGHLANDS
1. Paul Bloomer, Printmaker
2. Jono Sandilands, Designer
3. Steve Dilworth, Sculptor
4. Ruth Brownlee, Painter
Vivian Ross Smith, Visual Artist vivianrosssmith.co.uk Your work seems very interdisciplinary, is mixing materials and techniques a conscious decision? Yes, very much so. My work considers our natural world, especially in extreme and remote locations, so it is very important for me to reflect that with my material choice. Depending on the specific place I am considering, I teach myself skills that are traditionally used in that community and scavenge for materials within that location to be used in my work. We now live in a world driven by technology and traditional types of skills are often forgotten. I strive to keep them alive and relevant through my work. What materials do you like working with best? One material I find myself going back to time and time again is copper sulphate. Copper sulphate is a decaying substance meaning it erodes away surfaces but at the same time adorns them with fantastic bright blue crystals. No matter how many times I use it in a piece, I always become so mesmerised by it. For me it is vital to persistently seek out new materials and to consider how I may use them in my work. I feel the need to broaden my understanding and allow myself to continually learn. Is exploration important to you during the creative process? I think exploration is a key element to all artists’ creative process. My work considers relationships in materials and surfaces, showing similarities and contrasts between the two. A lot of my work is created through experimentation. I use a combination of man-made and natural materials, devoting time to analysing how these materials work together. Do your island surroundings ever inspire your work? Constantly. I am very fortunate to be from Shetland and the island I grew up on, Fair Isle, has definitely been a main inspiration in all that I do. I like to be within extreme conditions, and I always find myself being drawn to islands and especially the sea. Life as an islander is very important to me and it’s the heritage of these closely-knit communities so rich in history, folklore and tradition that are so central to my work. Creatively, is there anything you have not done that you hope to do in the future? The list is endless!