This solo show explores the landscape, language and folklore of Shetland through a series of ‘filmpoems’ - combining moving image and poetry to re-examine tradition and evoke new perspectives. The five works in the exhibition summon up five ‘uncan’ (strange) beings who act as guardians of Shetland's landscape, language and memory. Made with the assistance of the Kishie Wife Collective, spirits of land, sea, fire and water come together in this exhibition to observe what has been, and what may yet happen.
Roseanne explains, "Shetland has had just the most profound impact on my work. I love my home; I love its language, its landscape, its ways of life. The name of my first poetry collection is 'Moder Dy', which means 'mother wave'. The moder dy itself is a piece of old fishing lore; it was said that experienced Shetland fishermen were able to navigate home by the moder dy, which was an undercurrent that always flowed in the direction of home. I think it is this idea of returning -- to place, to memory, to a state of being -- that has been informing creative practice for some time now.”
Coinciding with Shetland Arts annual Screenplay festival and continuing Shetland Arts’ programme of off-site exhibitions, The Booth in Scalloway has been transformed into an intimate exhibition space to showcase Roseanne’s work.
Jane Matthews of Shetland Arts explains, “Roseanne is one of the talented young generation that grew up in Shetland as Mareel was taking shape and her love of filmmaking grew from working with youth group Maddrim Media under the watch of the inspirational Kathy Hubbard and the Screenplay ‘machine’. We felt it was the perfect time and place to celebrate Roseanne’s incredible achievements to date, since winning the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award in 2018 and launching her first poetry anthology earlier this year.”
Kathy Hubbard, now retired from her role as Head of Development at Shetland Arts and curator of Screenplay, is a member of the Kishie Wife Collective that has worked with Roseanne to produce her short films. She cites the importance of filmmakers being able to see their work on the big screen in a supportive environment like Screenplay and to learn from their peers. She explains how valuable the creative process is, “In terms of Roseanne’s work the film feeds the poetry and the poetry feeds the film”.
The exhibition runs from 4-29 September at The Booth Studio in Scalloway, open Wed-Sun from 12-5pm. The opening event on 3 September is from 6-7.30pm and everyone is welcome to come along and meet Roseanne. A selection of production photographs from the Roseanne’s filmpoems (by Stuart and Kathy Hubbard) are on show concurrently in Mareel.
