Rhona NicDhùghaill / Dougall

Gaelic

Tha Rhona NicDhùghaill na riochdaire cruthachail agus na neach-obrach ealain sa choimhearsnachd às an Òban a th’ air a bhith ag obair o chionn còrr is 15 bliadhna sa Ghàidhealtachd, sna h-Eileanan agus ann an Glaschu. Agus i na neach-labhairt Gàidhlig, tha obair Rhona a’ sealltainn gu sònraichte air cruthachadh cumhachdachadh, ìomhaigh agus ceangal tro phròiseactan sa choimhearsnachd. Ann an 2022, thug Rhona MA a-mach ann an Ealain agus Cleachdadh Sòisealta, a’ rannsachadh ìomhaigh nan Gàidheal ann an suidheachadh post-vernacular. Tha an obair aice o chionn ghoirid, leithid Feàrna, cuid de Mhuinntireas nan Eilean aig CHARTS, le Alice Stillman, a-mach air sgaoileadh modhan-obrach Gàidhealach thairis air luchd-dùthchais na Gàidhlig. Tha an dòigh-dèiligidh a th’ aig Rhona a thaobh ealain stèidhichte air sealladh Gàidhealach air an t-saoghal, a’ sònrachadh cruthachalachd mar chuid àbhaisteach den bheatha, agus bidh i ag obair gus àiteachan a chruthachadh far am faod daoine ceangal ris an ìomhaigh Ghàidhealaich aca tro chleachdaidhean-ealain coitcheann agus ion-ghabhaltach. 

“Ged nach eil Gàidhlig ga labhairt fada is farsaing ann am mòran den Ghàidhealtachd tuilleadh, tha an cultar san fharsaingeachd air mhaireann fhathast – ach feumar àrach agus a làimhseachadh le cùram. Tha an obair agamsa a’ cruthachadh àiteachan far am faod daoine (ath-)cheangal  a dhèanamh ris an dìleab is an ìomhaigh Ghàidhealaich aca, agus dòighean a lorg a bhith Gàidhealach gu cultarail a tha buntainneach dhaibh fhèin anns an t-suidheachadh post-vernacular seo.” – Rhona NicDhùghaill

Image: Let's Make a Scene, image Stevo Finlayson. Credit Rhona NicDhùghaill

Rhona NicDhùghaill is a creative producer and community arts worker from Oban with over 15 years of experience in the Highlands, Islands, and Glasgow. A Gaelic speaker, Rhona’s practice focuses on fostering empowerment, identity, and connection through community-driven projects. in 2022, Rhona completed an MA in Art and Social Practice, exploring Gàidhealach identity in a post-vernacular context. Her recent work, including Feàrna, part of CHARTS Island Residencies,  with Alice Stillman, explores sharing Gaelic methodology beyond the Gaelic heritage community. Rhona’s approach to art is rooted in a Gaelic worldview, emphasising creativity as a normal part of life, and she works to create spaces where people can reconnect with their Gaelic identity through collective and inclusive artistic practices.

“Though Gaelic is no longer widely spoken in much of the Gàidhealtachd, the wider culture still endures - but needs to be nurtured and handled with care. My work creates spaces where people can (re)connect with their Gaelic heritage and identity, and find ways to be culturally Gaelic that are relevant to them in this post-vernacular context.” - Rhona NicDhùghaill / Dougall

Image: Dunollie woods, Rhona NicDhùghaill. Credit Mika Schröder.