Duais Dìleab Chaluim Chille / COLMCILLE LEGACY AWARD

Judith Parrott

Judy Parrott based on the Isle of Bute, presents a series of photographs that examine the relationship between Gaelic language and landscape, incorporating Dwelly’s Dictionary and researching words specific to the theme. In her research, Judy found that loss of old languages has led to loss of environmental knowledge. This artwork celebrates Gaelic language. It also celebrates engagement with nature and the corresponding environmental, mental and physical health benefits that this brings.

On her approach to the Colmcille Award, Judy says:

The series reflects on interactions between weather, landscape and ourselves, and acknowledges our close relationship to weather and its influence on day-to-day life. This new work is rooted in where I am in space and time. With isolation brought about by the pandemic, life has become less mobile and more embedded in the local environment, as it was when Gaels inhabited Argyll and engaged more closely with sea and land. During lockdown, engaging with nature has helped me survive the isolation. I have also been extending my Gaelic language skills and the project supports my language learning.

During the project I collaborated with Gaelic singer Gillebride MacMillan. Gillebride wrote four Gaelic poems to accompany the four seasonal images. Poems written by Gillebride MacMillan for Rionnach Maoim.