In 2020 Gaada launched Peer Group, a series of mutually supportive group sessions for Shetland based artists to share, discuss, and develop their work.

In the current format, each group initially meets for three sessions, two of which are in the Gaada workshops providing space for group workshare and an opportunity to discuss and gain feedback on current work +/ research. In addition to creating space for our own idea development, we also have an online session to hear from an invited artist about their practice and working methods.

Our first group of artists, Jane Ridland, Joyce Davies, Tracey Doxey and Aimee Labourne gathered in Nov - Dec 2020. The studio was filled with drawing, textiles, film, sound work, print and painting. Between the perceived differences in everyones practice, we found really interesting connections regarding place specificity and what it means to be a Shetland artist. During our first Peer Group block, we were transported to Rome to hear from artist Beth Collar who joined us via Zoom. Beth shared insights into her practice including how and why she choses specific materials to pair with certain ideas. Beth discussed how she has navigated being an artist through the pandemic, and how this time has influenced her work.

Due to local lockdown after Christmas, our second Peer Group sessions had to be cancelled and our artists were rearranged onto future sessions. In the covid-free future, Peer Group will have a much more relaxed and drop-in format where artists can meet casually to discuss their practice as frequently as they want to. If you are an artist working in Shetland and have ideas about what would support you and your practice through Peer Group, drop an email to vivian@gaada.org or get in touch on social media to chat.

A peerie jump forward to February 2021 and our next Peer Group was ready to start with artists Jono Sandilands, Laura Hughes and Jenny Sturgeon. We were in much need of art chats by this time and everyone revelled in sharing and discussing each other’s practices. We were excited to have artist and facilitator Jody Mulvey join us on Zoom for a conversation about her wonderfully playful work. Jody’s practice is a colourful explosion of form, line, material, 2D and 3D and as she describes; “art can ultimately be a playful enquiry that oozes joy”. Jody also considers hierarchies and rituals of art space through her work which lead to some really interesting discussions within the group around alternative space to share and make art, with lots of project ideas sparking. Jody’s enthusiastic use of Simpsons memes and appreciation of TV Programme ‘Hole in the Wall’ reminded us to take the seriousness out of art practice when we can.

We are now looking ahead to May, when our final block of Peer Group for the funding year will take place. We have just one space left, so if you are interested in signing up you can find more info here. Gaada’s aim is to build durational relationships with Shetland’s artists and form a supportive network that will continue to grow beyond the initial programme, and we hope to bring you a lot more Peer Group news soon. For now though, a huge thank you to everyone who has already given so much to this network.

Fingers crossed for more real life group art gatherings after summer!

Peer Group forms part of Gaada’s core activities + is made possible with the kind support from the Shetland Charitable Trust