What is an island voice? lies at the root of Piergroup’s most recent project. After spending two nights on Papay, its members have tried to expand their ideas; actively feeling their way round their own island perspective; interpreting island life through their individual judgement and unique viewpoint. The collective work creates an island dialogue – mapping the terrain and rhythms of islandness which appear to cultivate identity and our sense of place in the world today.
I found Papay to be an overwhelming experience of the senses. As soon as we stepped off the plane there was an overpowering smell of seaweed; an absolute peace, and the sense of perspective the island provides – it hits you immediately and with force. One of the very first things we did when we arrived was a midnight walk of the Island, making my first tour of Papay in the dark. Thus, I relied heavily on my senses to visualise the landscape of the island. I transferred this into my work the next day, spending my time collecting different types of seaweed from along the shore; recording the sounds of the isle, and sketching it’s mostly untouched landscape.
– Leah Moodie, notes on Papay (23 – 25 June 2017)
ØY Festival of Islands 