Speyside artist Clare-Louise Battersby is mounting a solo exhibition, Observations of an Incomer at OPENSPACE Contemporary Art Gallery in Grantown-on-Spey, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and North East Scotland’s cultural richness – showcasing her mixed-media and encaustic wax works inspired by the Doric language, Scottish folklore, and wild landscapes.

Celebrating Scotland’s oral storytelling traditions and the unique quirks of Doric expressions and narratives, Clare-Louise, who stays in nearby Edinvillie, conveys the strengthening connection with her surroundings and her reverence for the wild landscapes, myths, and legends that define this part of Scotland. Her works combine layers of wax, pigment and found materials, creating pieces that are both contemporary and deep-rooted in tradition.

The artist and designer, who is also Vice Chair of North East Open Studios (NEOS) says, ‘I wanted to delve into how it feels to be an ‘incomer’ – someone learning to understand and embrace a new cultural identity, while navigating the dynamics of belonging and difference. The Doric language and Scottish folklore have been a gift to learn, in stories of people and place. My fascination with dialect and expressions – where it comes from – and a deep respect for Scotland’s oral storytelling traditions have inspired me to explore the rich history, magick, and often little-known quirks of Doric and the stories they carry.

Entry is free.

(For OPENSPACE gallery enquiries please contact Joanna Wilson: info@joannawilsonart.com)