Andrea Brough

Andrea's practice probes her relationship with the ever-changing landscape of her home in the Orkney Islands. Mesmerised by cultural geography and artists who focus their visual research on Orkney's intense natural drama, she is inspired by those who have inhabited both the 'periphery' and Scotland's frantic centres. The sense of journeying and movement between the relaxed familiarity of Orkney to busy, fast-paced life in Edinburgh is a constant source of influence on Andrea's research and practice. Exploring themes of memory, longing and homesickness, the paintings she creates capture ephemeral moments intensified by the golden Orkney summer light. 

In the series of paintings created for the degree show, Andrea has memorialised childhood experiences with the natural environment in her grandparents' garden situated on the island of Rousay. These paintings reflect on their garden as a sacred space, unique to Orkney's flat, arable landscape, overflowing with countless species of trees, shrubs, flowers and wildlife. Layering and collaging imagery from photographs of the native Orkney landscape and snapshots taken during visits to Rousay digitally via photoshop, Andrea then utilises these references for paintings exploring the multi-faceted nature of memory. The standalone painting portraying vibrant strawberries recalls Andrea's fond memories of picking these fruits fresh from the garden polytunnels in the summer holidays for her grandparents' once thriving strawberry enterprise. 

With the hope of inspiring the viewer to reflect upon their own experiences, these paintings further suggest the importance of preserving and protecting outdoor sanctuaries presently under threat.