Artist in residence at Quinag
Inverness-based winner of the Trust's Creative Freedom contest, Lizzie Wood, becomes artist in residence at our site in Quinag.
Artist Lizzie Wood was named the overall winner of our 'Creative Freedom' competition, held in honour of the Trust's 40th anniversary in 2023.
The prize for first place included an artist-in-residence opportunity, where the recipient would be able to work on a project in collaboration with the Trust to be exhibited in Pitlochry - in our Wild Space Visitor Centre gallery - in 2025.
Entrants were encouraged to submit artwork depicting what “freedom for wild places” meant to them, with the best entries being exhibited at our Pitlochry gallery this past spring.
Lizzie's winning piece, 'Solastalgia', was a hand drawn comic inspired by an experience the artist had while visiting Glen Feshie.
"I found the visit to it a very powerful experience." Lizzie tells us.
"I didn’t know a lot about the landscape in Scotland and why it looks the way it does. Seeing these old, incredibly beautiful trees covering some of the land at Glen Feshie made me realise that’s what the land should look like. It got me really interested in conservation and how wild places should be."
Lizzie continued to be inspired by wild places while in residence at Quinag, spending her first night camping on Ben More Assynt and following days exploring the hills in the care of the John Muir Trust.
"I’ve discovered it’s important for me to actually sketch when I’m outside rather than just take photos," Lizzie shares. "The results tend to reflect more of the wild colours and views I can see when I’m out there."
“My inspiration comes from being outside so this opportunity to be the Trust’s artist in residence at Quinag aligns with my genuine interest in caring for wild places, and being able to show that passion through my art.”
- Lizzie's work will be exhibited at our Wild Space Visitor Centre in 2025.
- Read more about Quinag and other sites in our care.
