Penicuik, the ‘Gateway to Midlothian’. It is difficult to relinquish the fields surrounding Penicuik to housing developers. The walks, woodlands and open spaces are what make it such a great place to live. In these times of global crisis, I am so grateful to live somewhere with room to breathe. There has been a temporary pause on the building work that has sprouted up around Penicuik, and it gives us just a little bit longer to appreciate the space.
This series of paintings documents the last days of a local field, which has been set for development for many years. Long periods of testing and planning permissions have allowed this land to start to change into a young forest. Last year, hundreds of small, self-seeded trees were uprooted haphazardly. They regrew into small, wiry bundles, ever hopeful of keeping their place. The paintings show this moment of their lives.
These paintings reflect on the resilient nature of the world outside. With workers on pause, many of these trees that have been levelled will set out fresh shoots. They don’t need us, but we should remember that we do need them.
‘Homeland I’, acrylic on board, 23 x 30.5 cm
‘Homeland II’, acrylic on board, 23 x 30.5 cm
‘Homeland III’, acrylic on board, 23 x 30.5 cm
‘Homeland IV’, acrylic on board, 23 x 30.5 cm
‘Homeland V’, acrylic on board, 23 x 30.5 cm
‘Prosperity I’, acrylic on board, 30.5 x 40.5 cm
‘Prosperity II’, acrylic on board, 30.5 x 40.5 cm
‘Prosperity III’, acrylic on board, 30.5 x 40.5 cm
Please email any enquiries to morag@moragdonkin.co.uk
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