Ahead of welcoming students back in the new term, the University of Aberdeen will see two new additions this week as it takes delivery of lighthouses from the CLAN Cancer Support Light the North Lighthouse Trail.
The ‘Light the North’ project from Clan Cancer Support, in partnership with Wild in Art is the latest sculpture trail to sweep the region, following the hugely successful Oor Wullie and Dolphin trails. The trail will encourage people to explore the area whilst raising funds for the cancer charity which has supported people affected by cancer since 1983.
The University has sponsored two of the main lighthouses on the trail that will see 50 lighthouses designed by some of the UK’s most talented artists popping up all over Aberdeen, the north-east, Orkney and Shetland.
Designed by artist Tuesday Stevenson from Design and Code, the 'People Light the North’ sculpture will take up temporary residence in the Plaza at the Sir Duncan Rice Library. Tuesday explains: "I identified with the idea of connections, support and trust between people in the north-east as I believe this is what brings a vibrance to the area.
“With a nod towards people being the future for the north-east, I also wanted to reference back to the heritage of the area by using fishing net shapes and colours to inspire the design. With a strong link to education, the design shows people holding up the light to help others find their way.”
A second lighthouse designed by artist Lindsay Allardyce who works under the name of Daisy Glaisy will be displayed in Cruickshank Botanic Gardens. Named Archie Lighthouse Keeper, the design is inspired by the story of Archie MacEachern who was born in a lighthouse in 1910 and became a third-generation lighthouse keeper.
Lindsay adds: “I used a folk-art style with vibrant colours and the shape of the lighthouse lends itself perfectly to my image of Archie in his woolly hat and salty beard.
“I know how vital the work of CLAN is and how projects such as Light the North can bring essential funding and awareness to the charity. And if I can help with that through my artwork, then I'm there!
“I’m delighted that my lighthouse has been sponsored by the University of Aberdeen and is being hosted in the beautiful Cruickshank Botanic Garden. I hope everyone has fun finding Archie and enjoys being in the gardens too.”
Ninety little lighthouses designed by schools across the region also feature in the trail and the University is delighted to be partnered with neighbours St Machar Academy and Papdale Primary in Orkney. St Machar Academy’s Young Carers group designed their contribution with their logo and includes the fingerprints of all the group members. Papdale pupils worked together to design and paint their little lighthouse to reflect their school vision and values alongside Orcadian history and landscape.
Jenny Fernandes, Director of External Relations at the University adds: “It’s wonderful to see these beautiful and inspiring lighthouses around the campus and after a challenging period for us all, it is great to see these beacons of hope welcoming our students back.
“We are delighted to be involved with such an exciting project while supporting such a worthwhile cause and we look forward to welcoming members of the public and students alike over the next few months as they make their way around the lighthouse trail.”
The lighthouses are on display now until October 17 and trail maps are available at The Trail - Light The North. There is also an app that will include incentives and rewards for finding and scanning the lighthouses which can be downloaded here. At the end of the trail, the lighthouses will be auctioned off and funds raised will go to support Clan’s work in the north-east.
ENDS