Clava By the Sea
By Polly Chapman
Journey Stone depicting a beech tree at Clava under a sea-like skyImage provided by Polly Chapman
The Clava Clan StitchersImage provided by Smartify
This is a beech tree inspired by those at Clava, which is close to where I live. There is something very special and peaceful about Clava, the light is always amazing no matter the time of day or year, and the beech trees are magnificent. I also wanted to depict the sea because it’s invigorating and I enjoy wild swimming. So the sky ended up being sea-like!
HEAR MORE ABOUT POLLY'S JOURNEY STONE
This audio forms part of a series of audio interviews conducted in 2023 by Smartify as part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project. Listen and discover the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands through the stitchers of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.
Join Polly as she explains the creative thought process behind her journey stone, where the sea meets the ancient trees that surround the Clava Cairns.
...my favourite place to swim is Loch Farr and the spot we always swim in has this tree, with the loch behind it...it was a way of incorporating the sea into the Clava idea of beech trees.
Many thanks to Polly Chapman for sharing with us the story behind her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.
WHAT IS A JOURNEY STONE?
Prior to the beginning of the stitching of each tapestry panel, each stitcher of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands was tasked with telling their interpretation of the 'Spirit of the Highlands and Islands' within a blank outline of a stone. The possibilities were truly endless - is it represented in the land? The people? A historical site? A favourite memory?
In any case, each journey stone represents the connection between of each individual stitcher, their story, and their own sense, or 'spirit', of place. Discover more of the stories behind the journey stones of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands here.