Island Blog

WISP (Western Isles Schools Project) is a multipartnered project that aims ""To deliver a site-specific artwork within one of the new schools within the WISP (3 x Lewis / 1 x Harris / 1 x Benbecula). Through interaction with pupils, teachers and wider school community…..(the) artists will produce a contemporary artwork which reflects the character of the area, and which promotes community ownership at each site. …The design team within each of the new schools aims to reflect the locality and create a vibrant learning environment. The public art commission is a key component of this…..which will be installed during the school build….(and) should be treated as an opportunity to enhance the infrastructure of an area of the development, rather than a stand alone artwork…."

WISP is involving a wide range of partners to deliver the project. These partners include: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council); Sgoiltean Ura LLP (an arm’s-length organisation owned by the Comhairle that will manage the overall delivery of the project); FMP Construction; FES FM; and the Scottish Goverment. The project’s external advisors are Faithfull + Gould, the Private Sector Development Partner; and Edinburgh based Architects 3DReid.

The artists commissioned to produce work for the schools include Donald Urqhart, Helen Denerley, Steve Dillworth and Ginny Hutchison. Ginny is the first artist to begin work on the project, and she’ll be keeping this blog for PAR+RS as a record of her time.

Ginny’s practice often considers civic space and the influence of geography, economics, politics and history on cultural identity. Some of her recent projects include public commissions for Re-imagining the Centre, Inverness, Cumbernauld New underpass commissions, and the Turra Coo Sculpture Projects. She will use the blog to chart her experience of the project as it develops.

Blog articles are written by: ginny hutchison.