Morvern Graham, a Scottish-Scandinavian illustrator, printmaker, and storyteller, takes listeners on an artistic adventure along the East Scottish coast. She shares her deep connection with the sea and how it inspires her creative process. Graham discusses the enchanting folklore character, Shellycoat, and the role of natural materials in her printmaking. The conversation also reflects on the balance of productivity and introspection in January while celebrating the beauty of nature's rhythms and imperfections, inspiring a more compassionate approach to the new year.
Morvern Graham illustrates how living by the sea infuses her storytelling and artistic expression with dynamic energy and inspiration.
The podcast emphasizes the enduring influence of folklore on creativity, as Morvern shares how magical narratives shape her artistic practices and objects.
Deep dives
Exploration of Heritage and Nature
The podcast showcases a journey through the landscapes of the UK, where the host meets individuals inspired by heritage crafts, folklore, and nature. One significant encounter is with printmaker and storyteller Morven Graham, who creates art influenced by the coastal surroundings. Morven discusses how living by the sea has brought a dynamic energy to her creative process, revealing that the proximity to nature enhances her storytelling and artistic expression. This exploration emphasizes the connection between one’s environment and creative inspiration, demonstrating how nature and folklore intertwine in artistic practices.
The Magical Influence of Folklore
Morven Graham reflects on how folklore shaped her childhood, with stories of magical creatures and enchanting narratives woven into her upbringing. She explains how these stories continue to influence her work, infusing magic into the objects and landscapes she incorporates into her art. For instance, she shares her intentions to create a costume inspired by the Shelleycoat, a folklore figure known for wandering the shoreline and collecting shells, encapsulating the fear and fascination inherent in such tales. This highlights the enduring impact of folklore on individual creativity and cultural narratives.
Artistic Practices and Time in Nature
The conversation reveals Morven's artistic practices, particularly her use of traditional printmaking methods that do not rely on modern technology. She describes the tactile nature of creating prints, which involves hand-carving and inking, allowing her to connect deeply with her materials and environment. Moreover, Morven emphasizes the significance of embracing the natural rhythms of life, suggesting that January provides a time for reflection and slower creative processes. This perspective underscores the importance of aligning one's creative work with the changing seasons and natural cycles, fostering a harmonious relationship with nature.
For January’s Found Sound, Alice Boyd meets Scottish-Scandinavian illustrator, printmaker and storyteller Morvern Graham on the East Scottish coast. Together, they head out onto the windy beach to collect limpets for Morvern’s latest folklore character: the Shellycoat.
This episode was produced by musician and sound artist Alice Boyd, featuring music by herself and The Breath. Thanks go to Morvern Graham.
'Found Sounds' are back for 2025 with another twelve episodes, each released on the middle Friday of the month. This year, Alice will be travelling across the UK to meet people inspired by heritage crafts, folklore and the landscape, creating a sonic scrapbook of their practice.
'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern in collaboration with Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of the month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Found Sounds are released on the middle Friday of the month. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co
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