Sandra Kennedy
On a visit to Reothart nan Ealain, a new Gaelic visual arts hub here in the Outer Hebrides, while in conversation with Mairi Gillies its proprietor I was distracted by an artwork displayed to my right, not sure why, maybe my ramblings about our bad summer weather was boring myself as much as Mairi. The work was Aiteal ('Transient view'), when Mairi explained more and revealed the artist was Sandra Kennedy I knew I had found another artwork for the collection. Curiously I think the artwork was more descriptive of our bad summer weather than my ramblings could ever be.
Sandra Kennedy
Sandra Kennedy's work is a contemplation of memory and landscape. Imagination is in dialogue with the natural environment around her village - Marvig. The scree slopes are the backdrop for all kinds of narratives. The colours and seasons tell their own stories. All is in motion - tides; clouds; grasses in the wind; the surface of sea and lochs; sightings of birds and wild animals. On a different time scale is erosion, decay and growth.
Her art comes from observation, she looks for alternative or new perspectives about things she sees and hears. There is always something to discover even if you walk the same route every day.
She is also fascinated to learn from the way others describe their experiences of nature, it might be friends who come to visit, or the work of writers or filmmakers who focus on the natural world.
She is curious about the relationships between people and place. What we leave behind, the sites from the past that are visible; left by our relatives and neighbours, the memories kept within the place.
She has been supported in her work by many people and organisations particularly An Lanntair and Creative Scotland VACMA scheme.
Selected Exhibitions
2025 Group Show 40-40 An Lanntair
2024 Group show Ulaidgean/ Treasures Group show Scottish Society of
2022 Solo Show -Casruisg/ Barefooted An Lanntair
2021 Two person show - Eadar Muir is Tìr CNS Ness Isle of Lewis
2020 Online exhibition- Pause Scottish Society of Artists
2016 Le Mùirn group exhibition The Briggait Glasgow
2013 Solo show, Museum of Modern Art, Tabernacle Machynlleth, Wales
2012 Corridor show, AGA Amsterdam
2010 Group show TIR, Oriel Plan Glyn y Weddw Wales
2008, 2009, 2012 Group Show Rendezvous Gallery, Aberdeen
2007 Two Person show with Calum Angus Mackay Suathadh Dileab/ Touching Heritage An Lanntair
1992 Two person show with Mary Morrison New work An Lanntair
1992 Solo Show of works on paper, Ifusagi Haz, Pecs, Hungary
1996 Solo show Dunedin Gallery, Edinburgh
Commissions, Projects
2021-2022 Làn Tide Project for Climate Beacon audio works based on collaboration collaborating climate scientist Dr James Pope Met office
2022 Cosàn Gabhla Outdoor event with poets and visual artists- Installation piece
2019-2022 Artists Support, for An Lanntair Arts Centre, Isle of Lewis
2020 Mapping Project - Recovering lost place names, An Lanntair
2016 Le Mùirn- Paintings about the songs of Murdo MacFarlane - Glasgow life
2014 Collaborative project with elderly community Memory Books An Lanntair
2006 Sculpture on the theme of home, Mac TV arts documentary
2000-2003 An Turas artist/ architect commission, for Tiree Art Enterprises
1998 Site specific installation, commission Eolas TV arts documentary
Artists Residencies
2011 AGA Amsterdam, printmaking workshop
2010 Arts Navigare, group sailing residency aboard SV Helena, Cherbourg to Kiel
2009 TIR residency at Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw, Wales
2009 Dwelling Places, Art workshops with community groups, Kampala Uganda
2005/2006 GASD National Gaelic Arts Project, Isle of Lewis
1996 Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Aberdeen International Young Artists Festival
Production Design/ film making
2021 Production designer short film Cum Sul Orm, for Corran Media
2021 Production Designer short film Piano, for Mac TV
2013/14 Workshops making 4 short films with young people Cinèma Cent Ans de Jeunesse Filmhouse Edinburgh
Further Education
1990 Grays School of Art, Aberdeen BA(hons) Sculpture
2000 Central St Martins School of Art and Design MA Scenography/ Performance
