Conch art tours Inner Moray Firth

An artwork commissioned by internationally acclaimed artists Zoe Walker and Neil Bromwich, “The Conch [Sound Studio]” is touring Nairn, Culloden and Inverness throughout May.

Commissioned by The Highland Council/IOTA (Inverness Old Town Art) and funded by Creative Scotland’s Rural Innovation Fund, the Conch is a unique travelling structure - part shell, part ark – that gathers the sound of people's hopes and fears for the future.  The soundtrack gives voice to opinions around the challenges that currently face society and asks individuals to suggest new ways that these might be overcome.

Describing The Conch, artists Walker and Bromwich say: “It acts as a vessel for the conversations that are taking place at a time when we are re-evaluating how we live.”

The soundtrack is an integral part of the project and features contributions by international surfers, nuclear energy commentators, community activists, architects, professional dancers, choreographers, and local residents from across the Highlands.

The Conch will be touring in the Highlands from Nairn to Culloden and Inverness from Monday 16 to Friday 27 May before making a star appearance at the Edinburgh Art Festival at the end of August.

Susan Christie, IOTA Commissions Manager said: “Come visit The Conch [Sound Studio] as it continues its epic journey and add your voice to the evolving array of opinions about community survival in testing times.”

Throughout May, the Conch will be at Nairn Health Centre on Monday 16 and Nairn Harbour on Monday 23. It will appear at Culloden Battlefield from Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 and Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26. It will also give an appearance at Inverness City Centre, outside 19 Church Street (across from Rendezvous Cafe) on Friday 20 and Friday 27. At each location, the Conch will be on show day from 10am to 5pm.