A recent exhibition at the Bonhoga Gallery was inspired by local marine engineering firm Malakoff Ltd.
The diverse range of work was by the four category winners of last year’s Shetland Open exhibition: Susan Timmins, Ana Arnett, Cheryl Jamieson and Fionn Arnett.
Working with both financial and professional support from Shetland Arts the four artists each created a new body of work for the show. Exhibitions Officer Jane Matthews explained:
“The artists hit upon the idea of using the Malakoff as their starting point, so we approached company director Dougie Stevenson, who was hugely supportive. Each artist has taken inspiration in a different way, either from the colours, materials or folk at work, which makes a fascinating narrative to the exhibition”.
Susan Timmins, whose installation included over a hundred photographs, said:
“It reflects my experience of the Malakoff over a five month period: red buildings, red boiler suits; welding, grinding, cutting; blasting, painting; diving; boats winched up the slip, boats released; nuts, bolts, pipes, rods; flashes, sparks; voices echoing, singing, whistling; sudden silences. I was always mindful that the camera is intrusive and that my questions were numerous. I am very grateful to everyone at the Malakoff for their patience and good humour.”
The exhibition included a historical context of the business – and some bizarre artefacts collected from across the world bearing the same name, Malakoff.