Migration of Souls

This body of work deals with the notion of migration, not just physical, but spiritual and emotional as well.

When we consider the physical, we can perhaps understand the feelings of individuals who have become separated by oceans and continents.

This is a modern day scenario as many families in the 21st century now live their lives in separate countries. However we can also consider situations where forced migration has witnessed individuals to be removed from a particular place against their will - the Highland Clearances being one particularly painful episode in our own history.

I am also intrigued by the idea of emotional and spiritual separation between individuals. People become detached from one another every minute of every day as generations pass away leaving loved ones behind. And there can be no more powerful description of emotional separation than in Burns' Ae Fond Kiss: "Ae fond kiss and then we sever ..."

I have also looked at the idea of emotional separation in relation to past events or times in our lives that are perhaps recalled, sometimes triggered by a fleeting sound, song or even smell.

For this show I have focused on my own "migrations" and personal separations, whilst also considering historical and factual situations. I am equally as intrigued by stories of Highland families deposed to Canada or Australia as I am with memories of my own childhood and family journey.

In a powerful historical context, Greenock features heavily in the story of Scotland's great migrations. Many families would have set sail from our own Custom House Quay, never to return, so in many respects our town would remain the last stepping stone to a new and sometimes uncertain future.

We are all on a journey ....

Alec Galloway, March 2011