Shadowed Valley exhibition

AN EXHIBITION of art inspired by the Weisdale valley is to open this weekend in the Bonhoga Gallery.

Scottish artist Fraser Taylor, who has seen his work exhibited across the world, will showcase drawings based on John J. Graham’s book Shadowed Valley.

The Bonhoga exhibition shares the same name as the 1987 publication, which focuses on a family in Weisdale as land clearances took place in the 19th century.

The event, which will run from 6 June to 19 July, will also feature suspended textiles that were created in response to Shadowed Valley.

Taylor spent a number of months in Shetland between 2013 and 2014 at the Booth in Scalloway as he took a sabbatical from his position of Adjunct Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

He was one of the founding members of The Cloth, which launched in 1983 as a design studio that created work for the likes of Spandau Ballet and Paul Smith.

Taylor has previously exhibited work in cities such as London, Madrid, Tokyo and New York.

Shetland Arts visual arts development officer Clair Aldington said that the exhibition will be a “unique” one that delves into the past of Weisdale.

“It is a privilege to be showing work at Bonhoga by such an eminent artist and designer as Fraser Taylor.

“The pieces have been specially created for the gallery space as well as reflecting the wider context and history of Weisdale,” she said.

“Fraser will be taking over all of Bonhoga for Shadowed Valley and so it promises to be a unique, immersive and unmissable experience for visitors to the gallery.

“Fraser will be in Shetland installing his show and will be leading a series of events about his work so please come along and meet him,” she added.

The Shadowed Valley exhibition will open with a public launch event between 6pm and 7.30pm on Friday 5 June.