Jack Whitwell Exhibition

The display continues the galleries focus on work by local artists, offering a glimpse of the breadth and quality of work being produced in Orkney. The exhibition opens on Saturday 18 September and will be on display until 30 October.

Jack Whitwell is a printmaker and photographer, who studied Fine Art at Newcastle University and moved to Orkney in 2018.

Whitwell’s work explores quiet landscapes, often visiting the same place multiple times to observe the overlooked nuances within a view. The work in this exhibition references locations in Orkney including North Hoy, Stenness, and the North Sea, and illustrates a deep rooted and strong sense of geographical place.

Whitwell commented “Stillness is an important aspect of my work as I respond to the shifting light, abstracted forms and silence, exploring the relationship between superficial representation and emotional experience within the landscape. Each image is a passing observation, like stills taken from a film. The work becomes a record of time slowly passing, physically materialised as photographic objects.”

Meanwhile in the galleries, an exhibition of new work by Orkney artists Boyd & Grogan, exploring aspects of a woman’s role and position within our society, continues until 2 October.

Pier Arts Centre Curator Andrew Parkinson added “This series of short exhibitions has brought a contemporary edge to our George Mackay Brown centenary exhibition. Orkney is well known for the quality of its artists, musicians, writers and more, and we are pleased to be able to highlight some of the new work being created in the islands today.”

The Pier Arts Centre is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:30am-5pm. Admission is free. Face coverings must be worn throughout the centre.