One of the most beautiful exhibitions ever to be seen in Shetland is about to open at Shetland Arts’ Bonhoga Gallery. Entitled Hides & Habitats, by Fife based artist Kyra Clegg, it is an ongoing installation of sculptures and wall based work whose initial inspiration was the French philosopher Gaston Bachelard’s book ‘The Poetics of Space’.

Places of habitation are spaces constructed as much from our imaginings as from brick and stone. ‘I am interested in the visual poetics inherent in this concept and how structures can nurture our consciousness creating imaginary dreamlike spaces,’ said Kyra Clegg.

‘The house protects the dreamer – the home allows one to dream in peace’ - a quote from Bachelard that has inspired the artist to create this exquisite creations.

In the works entitled ‘Lace & Ladders’ string ladders reach down from five plaster ‘lace hides’ to connect with the ground whilst above them acrylic panels, on which a series of porcelain pieces are placed, float free – casting shadow patterns on the wall behind

A series of lithographic prints based on imagery from hides and habitats hang alongside the sculptural pieces.

A second strand to Kyra Clegg’s work at Bonhoga Gallery is ‘Home is Here’ a community art project co-ordinated by Clair Aldington, Visual Arts Development Officer, at Shetland Arts.

Each participant was given a stone, created by Kyra Clegg, engraved with the words YOU ARE HERE. This stone acts as a mapping stone – as long as you have the stone in your possession you will know exactly where you are – HERE. You then place the stone in a location in which you feel at home or beside people or objects to which you feel connected, then take a photograph. The image and a sentence explaining the participant’s choice of location is shown in a slide show created by Kyra Clegg to be shown at Bonhoga.

The exhibition runs until 16 April and then can be seen leter this year at the Richard Attenburgh Centre in Leicester.

The exhibition preview is on 21 March at 7.30 and everyone is invited to come along, enjoy some refreshments and meet Kyra Clegg.

Bonhoga Gallery is open 10.30 – 4.30 Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 4.30 on Sundays.