2023
Roaming Installation
Lead Artist for The Stove Network
Dumfries

A playful commission as part of The Stove Network’s Wild Goose Festival in October 2023. The work looked to add an experimental, unexpected element into the festival’s programming with a roaming birdwatching experience appearing in and around Dumfries town centre during the festival run. Appearing in public parks, the high street and other outdoor venues around the town centre, the work invited passing members of the public to join the artists in an outdoor environment to observe the skies and consider our relationship with non-human inhabitants of everyday spaces.

The piece included a series of hand painted colourful deckchairs and a soundscape using audio recorded from our local geese population and ‘imitation geese’, as well as sharing conversation and playful pieces including viewfinders and kaleidoscopes to help us see our environment differently.

Inspired by the Wild Goose Festival’s theme ‘Keep Looking Up’, the project also included a series of project flags and banners that appeared around the town centre sharing a hopeful and optimistic message in challenging times.

Thanks to The Stove Network team, Dave Pickett at WWT, Lolli Anderson and Dumfries Museum. All images credit of Kirstin McEwan photography.