We are looking for an experienced artist to create a sculpture which will be used during the Water Ceremony – a key part of the Opening Ceremony of the Orkney International Island Games, which will be held from 12th to 18th July 2025. The Sculpture will then be relocated to a permanent site at the Pickaquoy Centre. Please read below to see if you could be involved in Orkney's biggest ever event.
The Water Ceremony
The Water Ceremony is an incredibly important part of the Opening Ceremony - it is the Island Games' equivalent of the lighting of the Olympic flame.
An athlete, often the youngest, from each of the 24 participating islands brings water from their home to mix with the waters from all the other islands. A sculpture is made by the Host Island, to act as a receptacle for these waters. This symbolic act recognises the uniqueness of each of the 24 participating islands, but also the shared community that islanders experience by coming together for this major sporting festival; it recognises the cultural similarity between our communities but also celebrates our differences.
Once the Opening Ceremony is complete the sculpture will be relocated to a prominent site at the Pickaquoy Centre, for display as a permanent piece of Public Art – a reminder of the Orkney 2025 Island Games.
About the Project
The artist is expected to create a sculpture which reflects Orkney's identity and culture and showcases the intermigling of the different Island communities at the games. The sculpture is expected to withstand outdoor conditions for at least 15 years and hold up to 24 litres of water during the ceremony.
The finished sculpture will be kept as a reminder of the 2025 Island Games and as a symbol of Orkney's islandness.
The artist/s are responsible for the overall running of the project, but will be supported by the steering group.
The description attached below includes a timeline of the different milestones in the project.
The project budget breaks down as artist/s fees of approximately £8000, based on an anticipated total number of hours of 235, at Scottish Artist Union sessional rate of £34 per hour and total production and fabrication costs of £4000. These proportional allocations can vary as required in consultation with the steering group.
Whilst applications will be considered from artists who are not resident in Orkney, there is a strong desire for the production of the piece to take place in Orkney, for ease of access and consultation with the steering group.
Artists are asked to respond in writing by:
- Completing the attached application form,
- Outlining an initial proposed concept for the finished artwork, and project plan, including a method statement and budget breakdown,
- Providing a CV, highlight their experience in the field of sculpture, and
- Providing a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 images of previous relevant works.
Closing Date
The closing date for responses to this brief is 5pm on Thursday, 22nd August 2024.
Responses should be emailed to vice-chair@orkney2025.com or submitted to the Orkney2025 Games Office, West Tankerness Lane, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1AL.
If you would like to find out more about this project or have any questions relating to this brief please contact Beccy May at the above email address in the first instance.
Entry Form and Brief: Orkney_2025_-_Artist_sought_for_Water_Ceremony_Sculpture_jul24.pdf
