I’ve been thinking about oysters for a while and trying a few ways of reflecting on them. The Restoration Forth project is a real and admirable attempt to bring back native oysters to the Forth. I wanted to support that ambition, and their call to the community for representations of 100 Species with a ritual.
The story of exploitation of the native oyster since the mid 1800s, the Oyster Wars, and the final demise of the species in the Forth by about 1900, resonates far beyond here. The native oyster signifies a repeat phrase in man’s relationship with the resources of the earth. Taken for relentless consumption, whether for the poor man’s supper or rich man’s banquet; the exquisite oyster, filter feeder, ecosystem engineer, pearl maker, is an organism of deep inspiration and shame for its loss.
I began to make sketches of oysters, and something resembling Rorschach blots, opening up potential oyster readings, and tusche wash stone lithographic experiments to achieve the reticulations expressed on their shells by time. This was the first time I’d tried printmaking since school, which proved expansive, but two dimensions didn’t seem sufficient for the will of this piece, and the chemicals involved, too much. So, to help restore the oyster, a costume piece came to mind; to call the Newhaven Fishwife from time, who might still be singing “Caller o’u frae the Forth”.
The Oyster Diviner walks the shoreline, gathering only shells from dead oysters, willing the life of the ocean she knew to be restored by her runes.
I played Winnie in Samuel Beckett's 'Happy Days' when I was 21 (I'm now more her age). If you know the play, the costume is loosely based on Winnie, absorbed by the earth to her waist (up to her neck in Scene II) but in this case, the wearer is absorbed by the ocean not apocalyptic desert sand. I'm grateful for the loan of a replica creel from the Heart of Newhaven community and have gained much from seeing their archive and artefacts.
In Summer 2022, I was overwhelmed by an uncanny and intimate experience called an ‘Oyster Reading’ at Inverleith House, by Cooking Sections. The reading of the oyster in my palm, and the inspired reader’s interpretation seemed to divine quite a lot about my nature. It moved me enormously to be seen like that, through the topography and anatomy of the oyster.
18th September 2023, saw the historic redeployment by the #RestorationForth team, of what was the 'native oyster' (Ostrea Edulis) to the Firth of Forth after 100 years of absence.
The Edinburgh Shoreline project in parallel, exhibited '100 Species' artworks at the Heart of Newhaven hub. We were treated to a wonderful evening of good food and hearty speeches, followed by a tour of the exhibition. I gave an introduction to and a reading of the poem I wrote to help illustrate the inspiration behind the Oyster Diviner costume, serving to say thank you to those who have worked so hard to bring this restoration to fruition.
The costume can be seen at the Scottish Seabird Centre from 13 Oct 2023 - 15 Jan 2024.
Here is the poem. Click the image to open a pdf.
