An Unearthly Garden

2019

An Unearthly Garden is composed of fossils and botanical materials from the sea and land transformed into glass during a residency in Caithness.



Kelp ash was made by harvesting, drying, burning and processing kelp gathered locally, reviving an 18th and early 19th century coastal industry process of Northern Scotland. Tetrapodomorph fossils excavated in Scotland are another essential component in the glass. Tetrapodomorphs, being half water, half land dweller, could be said to be the evolutionary equivalent of the Selkie myth.
        The work was supported by Bullseye Projects with a two week residency in The Byre and the studio at Northlands Creative, sponsored by Bullseye Glass. Fossils were donated by Dr Stig Walsh, Senior Curator of Vertabrate Palaeobiology at National Museum Scotland. Thanks to Emma Goring and Michael Bullen.