"Takaya Amongst Camas" by Gemma Hopkins
Artist Statement
“When I first discovered Takaya I was impressed by his story and unique spirit that I felt compelled to do a painting in his honour. An aspect I find particularly fascinating was the solitary existence he led on an island that was not suited to the typical prey he would hunt. He demonstrated grit and resourcefulness by adapting to hunt seals in a remarkable way, turning this hardship into a benefit to all the endangered birdlife surrounding the islands. When I think of Takaya I think of a non-conformist, a mould breaker who left his mark on the world and changed it for the better. I tried to convey this through his lonesome, misty howls emerging into camas flowers which he could be found lying amongst in the sun.”
Artist Bio
After receiving a BA (Hons) from Glasgow School of Art and then a Post graduate diploma in education a few years later I divide my time between teaching and making art. I am currently working in a high school in Glasgow, Scotland. I work with a range of different mediums but recently began exploring oil paints. I love the versatility and the luscious quality of colours you can achieve when using oil paints and this is the main focus of my paintings. I paint for pleasure and the subject matter varies depending on whatever inspires me that day.
Artist Statement
“When I first discovered Takaya I was impressed by his story and unique spirit that I felt compelled to do a painting in his honour. An aspect I find particularly fascinating was the solitary existence he led on an island that was not suited to the typical prey he would hunt. He demonstrated grit and resourcefulness by adapting to hunt seals in a remarkable way, turning this hardship into a benefit to all the endangered birdlife surrounding the islands. When I think of Takaya I think of a non-conformist, a mould breaker who left his mark on the world and changed it for the better. I tried to convey this through his lonesome, misty howls emerging into camas flowers which he could be found lying amongst in the sun.”
Artist Bio
After receiving a BA (Hons) from Glasgow School of Art and then a Post graduate diploma in education a few years later I divide my time between teaching and making art. I am currently working in a high school in Glasgow, Scotland. I work with a range of different mediums but recently began exploring oil paints. I love the versatility and the luscious quality of colours you can achieve when using oil paints and this is the main focus of my paintings. I paint for pleasure and the subject matter varies depending on whatever inspires me that day.
Artist Statement
“When I first discovered Takaya I was impressed by his story and unique spirit that I felt compelled to do a painting in his honour. An aspect I find particularly fascinating was the solitary existence he led on an island that was not suited to the typical prey he would hunt. He demonstrated grit and resourcefulness by adapting to hunt seals in a remarkable way, turning this hardship into a benefit to all the endangered birdlife surrounding the islands. When I think of Takaya I think of a non-conformist, a mould breaker who left his mark on the world and changed it for the better. I tried to convey this through his lonesome, misty howls emerging into camas flowers which he could be found lying amongst in the sun.”
Artist Bio
After receiving a BA (Hons) from Glasgow School of Art and then a Post graduate diploma in education a few years later I divide my time between teaching and making art. I am currently working in a high school in Glasgow, Scotland. I work with a range of different mediums but recently began exploring oil paints. I love the versatility and the luscious quality of colours you can achieve when using oil paints and this is the main focus of my paintings. I paint for pleasure and the subject matter varies depending on whatever inspires me that day.