Promoting understanding and communication

Còmhla was a major International Artist’s Workshop that took place at Taigh Chearsabagh Arts Centre in Lochmaddy, North Uist, in September. JULIE BROOK was one of the participating artists, and now reflects here on her experience
 

Còmhla Artists Shelter in Julie Brook's Work

CÒMHLA (“Together”) was initiated by the Triangle Arts Trust, and took place over a fortnight at Taigh Chearsabagh.  Founded 20 years ago by Robert Loder and Sir Anthony Caro, the Triangle ArtsTrust enables artists from all over the world to meet in their different countries and exchange ideas and methods of practice.

It has also created longer term residencies and studio buildings.  Audiences and local communities have participated through workshop open days, open studios during residencies, and exhibitions.

Taigh Chearsabagh is a vibrant arts centre set in the wild and dramatic landscape of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.  It runs an ambitious programme of exhibitions each year, residencies, a number of educational workshops and a one-year diploma course with consideration now being given to a further education course in environmental art.
 

It provided an ideal base for the Trust’s first workshop in Scotland: ideal for its unique and exciting environment, for the dynamic and efficient organisation of the centre, and for its relationship with the local community.
 

Anne MacKenzie, Arts Officer for Taigh Chearsabhagh, responded enthusiastically, raising funds through Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), Western Isles Enterprise, and the Scottish Arts Council, as well as providing an ideal location for the workshop to take place and organising local people to help with cooking and other practicalities.
 

Catherine Chan discussing her work with Melina Berkenwald

Ten artists were invited to participate in the workshop from Scotland, and ten respectively from Tibet, Brazil, Nepal, India, Japan, Argentina, South Africa, Indonesia, Cuba and Trinidad.  Travel and living expenses were paid for, plus materials.
 

The artists lived together in Newton House, a big homely place situated on the machair between a long sandy beach to the west and a group of rugged hills to the east.  The first few days were spent exploring the island, which gave everyone an insight into the geography, landscape, history and culture of the island as well as helping to form a relationship across the group, which then developed.
 

On the second evening we participated in an event at Taigh Chearsabhagh where the artists met local people.  In a Gaelic-speaking community mutual curiosity about each other’s cultures was graciously satisfied through conversation, music and song: Gaelic waulking songs demonstrated with a piece of St Kilda cloth, a Xhosa click song, an Indian love ballad, a Japanese drinking song.

Things like this made the artists feel welcomed guests amongst the community and landscape, realising the ambition of the Trust to promote understanding and communication of the arts across the world.
 

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