Gaada, Shetland
In June 2024 we were hosted by Gaada in Shetland, as part of Brigði, an ongoing partnership between Gaada and Pamflett which is building stronger links between artists in Shetland and Norway.
The visit to Shetland was a chance for Pamflett to further get to know Gaada and the work they do, as well as being introduced to the cultural life of Shetland. During the stay we were also happy to create a workshop for the local artists, under Gaada's workshop series Work Share, based on Fredrik Rysjedal's comic Cramp.
Work Share is a great concept where artists are invited to a lunch where everyone shares a lunch together, while talking about what projects they are currently working with, and to receive feedback and encouragement from the rest of the group.
Cramp is a comic about cold water swimming and the fear of getting cramp. Everyone in the workshop was treated to a reading of the comic by Fredrik which set a playful and humorous tone for the day.
The group was then guided through an fun comic book-making activity which resulted in a finished collective publication ‘ Da Swim’ - a wordless journey which follows our protagonist whose shape-shifts from page-to-page (each workshop participant drew themselves into the comic!) as they dive in and out of wild Shetland waters.
Gaada has an amazing space and is doing inspiring work, and we look forward to work further on this collaboration building a creative connection between Bergen and Shetland.
This residency / research trip was supported by Creative Scotland and Bergen Kommune.
