John Macleod

December 2004-April 2005

The artist selected to get Timespan’s residency programme rolling, proved to be a popular and inspirational choice for Helmsdale.  Jon Macleod, 37 has lived in Lewis for almost ten years.   He has no favourite media, preferring to select the one which best suits the ideas at hand.

This flexibility provided  some wonderfully original results on a large mural project at Helmsdale Primary School.  Children were given cameras to take photographs of people and places which mean something to them, so a composite village identity can be built up.   In addition, Jon worked with a mothers and toddlers group and also some senior citizens.

Says Jon “All the projects made good progress.  I’ve really enjoyed my time in Helmsdale which proved to be far less daunting that I had at first  feared. Being a temporary resident gave me a good excuse to talk to people about all kinds of things and the response has been very good.”

According to Meg Tefler Timespan’s arts co-ordinator, this is due to Jon’s general approach. “We were all delighted with the way in which he quietly and so quickly become part of the Helmsdale community.   It’s a terrific challenge for someone to come in from the outside and  encourage people of all ages to get involved with creating  their own ideas and artwork.     But Jon is very responsive and sensitive to any suggestions that people make and has a way of building on simple ideas and making them happen.  It’s very exciting to watch.”

Jon’s final exhibition based on his sense impressions of Gartymore and the Strath Kildonan is called Lost Sheep of the House. “The playwright Stephen Poliakoff talks about “seeing history through a half opened door”. This is how I have viewed my work over the winter months. I have seen glimpses, layers of history, memory and meaning in the places and people of the area” Jon Macleod.

Infused with colour, the symbolic and photographic references within the final pieces are for the viewer to recognise and interpret in their individual, personal way. The overall impression is of a magical place full of memories and shadows of the past that are of great significance in the present day.

Also being exhibited is an example of the work Jon produced with the local school children, large murals based on their favourite view in the village combined with portraits of themselves. These works will eventually be displayed at the school.