Prominent Scottish visual artist Sue Jane Taylor is to show her ‘Oilwork North Sea Diaries’ touring exhibition at the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness.

The works, which go on public display from February 11th, are a selection from the images created from twenty years of documenting the lives and times of workers in the North Sea oil and gas industry. The exhibition will feature paintings, drawings and etchings from Taylor’s own collection and other works from private and public collections.
The event is being supported by Talisman Energy (UK) Limited, a long-standing partner of the Sutherland -based artist in her efforts to provide a visual record of the impact the North Sea oil industry has had on the communities of the North of Scotland.

The artist is no stranger to Orkney, having spent many family holidays on the islands as a youngster and as an art student. She visited the Flotta Oil Terminal twice during its early operational years for her remarkable social commentary on the history of the industry.

Taylor added: “I loved visiting Orkney as a youngster and the natural beauty of the islands was an inspiration to me during my time as an art student. Drawing at Flotta Oil Terminal brought another dimension, a contemporary industry located in a wild but delicately balanced and fragile natural environment.”

The partnership between Talisman and Sue Jane Taylor was formed at the publication of her ‘Oilwork North Sea Diaries’ book and subsequent touring exhibition. It has been staged at Aberdeen Maritime Museum in 2004 and Norfolk Museums and Galleries in Great Yarmouth in 2006, and selected pieces will go on permanent display at the 20th Century Gallery of the National Museum for Scotland in Edinburgh this summer.

Following this successful working relationship Sue was invited to record Talisman’s pioneering ‘Beatrice Wind Farm Demonstrator Project’ in the Moray Firth. The artist is currently working on this commission having followed the construction, installation and siting process of the two massive pilot wind turbines.

Talisman Energy (UK) Limited’s General Manager for the Flotta Catchment Area, John Forrest said: “I very much hope that the people of Orkney will take the time to view Sue’s work, which is an evocative study of our industry and its people.”

The company’s Legal and PR/CR Manager Jacquelynn Craw said: “We are delighted to support this exhibition of Sue Jane Taylor’s work. She has captured the very essence of life in the North Sea oil and gas industry in her own individual way, and it will provide an artistic record of the lives and times of the workforce for generations in the future.”