To be honest, there’s not much call for art based around the theme of music. When you pick a niche you inadvertently pick a box which is hard to break out of. Yet, I don’t want to. I want to only ever create things I am passionate about and that are a refection of my passions.
Luckily in 2022 I was able to do that with the creation of my Christmas Tree for Dundee. It was part of an open call for submissions to create trees from reclaimed materials to replace the traditional tree in the city centre. My repeating vinyl print immediately came to mind, and with little or no consideration for the practicalities, I applied.
I wanted to create something that represents my work surrounding music and memories and reflected the important part music plays in festive memories (Xmas No1 anyone?), as well as giving records a new lease of life. I had returned to my hometown of Dundee the year before to be closer to my family and help my dad wind down his business to retire so it seemed like a perfect way to get him involved.
Despite by the end being convinced that we had somehow created a cursed tree (I damaged my eye, dad cut open his hand and my uncle crashed the van!) it ended up not only being the piece I am most proud of, but the one with the most amazing memories. I hadn’t seen my welder uncle in years and having him help was so much fun. As for my dad, his health deterioration means a project like this would now be impossible but I have the best memories of him using all his building skills to make the tree work.
Dundee continued to add trees to its design forest each Xmas and my tree, alongside many other amazing designs, is now on display in front of the Overgate as part of the city’s Christmas celebrations.