Work by Elaine Fraser :: Poem by Gerda Stevenson
Òran / Song
Mary MacPherson, known as Mhàiri Mhòr nan Òran / Great Mary of the Songs, 1821-1898, Isle of Skye; Gaelic poet, songwriter, and bard of the Highland Land League; falsely accused of and imprisoned for theft.
From Quines by Gerda Stevenson
Artist’s statement
A mixed media panel incorporating a variety of mono printed fabrics in a limited colour range. Inspiration was taken from these lines of the poem.
“the iron bars of the prison cell closed in on her”
“a well of song that flowed and never faltered”
I included bars of printed fabric, some with words from the poem and references to musical notes. Found objects such as a small key and rusted metal & fabric relate to her prison cell, with small appliquéd scraps of silk to reflect the alleged stealing of “a slice of silk” by Mary MacPherson.