ØY Festival 2017 took place on Papa Westray, one of the northern most islands of Orkney. As the resident artist I wanted to explore the relationship between the geology of the island, the people and the industry. This led me to research the kelp industry of the 18th and 19th Centuries which sustained the Papay as well as many of the other Orcadian, Shetland, and western isles. 

During the residency I reproduced a kelp burning. The project has now become ongoing as the ashes from the burning have been spread to artists across Scotland to make ceramic glazes and paper among other things.

For the ØY Festival website: https://oyfestival.wordpress.com/

For the Radio Orkney feature on ØY Festival (25:22) : https://www.mixcloud.com/radioorkney/tullimentan-22nd-november-2017/

ØY Festival 2017 Kelp Burning

Giulia Gentili