Over the past three months I’ve been working on a ‘Land Mark’ Residency with Art Walk Porty. This is part of a programme of residencies & commissions that considers Portobello’s industrial past, exploring the relationship of land to community, particularly in the context of the changing landscape of Western Portobello; of a land marked by its industrial heritage.
For my project ‘Cultivated Land’ I have been researching historic and contemporary orchards in the areas surrounding Portobello and Musselburgh. I’ve spent time in archives , visited the library at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and wandered the streets of Portobello in search of apples. For the Art Walk Porty newspaper I’ve created a drawing detailing the stories and hidden histories of the area and explored sites which have previously been used for growing and agriculture. You can pick up a copy of the newspaper now at various venues around Portobello. The project will culminate with an outdoor performance of Graft in the beautiful surroundings of Donkeyfield Community Orchard on the 11th September at 6pm. Free tickets can be reserved here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/storytelling-event-graft-by-annie-lord-tickets-69173270113
Art Walk Porty runs from 7th-15th September and the programme can be viewed here: https://www.artwalkporty.co.uk/index.html
The project is funded by Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Robertson Trust & Culture & Fund Business Scotland.