Sarah Kudirka

A happening on winter solstice, 21 December 2024

21 artists/makers (20 of whom live and/or work in Scotland, 1 in New Zealand*) were each invited by K U D I R K A founder/curator Sarah Kudirka to bring a piece that may fit in the hand, to be shown by candlelight to light the shortest day on the calendar.

Diverse artworks were added to the table as the artists arrived and a candle lit for each – casting star shadows on the white paper surrounding each wee object – and gradually the light faded here in the northern hemisphere, with songs to share.

The artists were all contacts Sarah has made since moving to Scotland or old friends:

Margaret Archbold 

Wendy Bornholdt *based in Masterton, NZ, where it was the longest day

Jack Brindley aka Pavilion Pavilion

Lauren Bryden

Alan Campbell

Duncan Comrie

Rowena Comrie

Fi Douglas 

Karen Gabbitas

Alexander Hoyles

Cressa McLaren

Louise McVey 

Laura Murray

Agata Pietrusz

Moe Rocksmoore

Pascale Steenkiste

Wilma van der Meyden

Gill Walton

Jessica Gladys Wolfson

(artists Alice Angus and Alastair Cook were also invited to participate, but were unable to attend or contribute on the day unfortunately)

music:

2 musicians, Brooke Sharkey and Aksel Undsen (aka Isak’s Island) on sojourn here at K U D I R K A from Oslo at the time  played 4 acoustic songs; quite magical

It was a cooried in gathering, lovely people came and looked, talked, listened, sang along, and drank tea (mainly). Peter and Sarah proved that as hosts you can keep your baffies (slippers) on and talked a little about K U D I R K A and the point of it all for them.

Thanks to all who came, not least all the artists and musicians who made it happen.

***

K U D I R K A is all about lifting others up, achieved simply by sharing our space with artist and/or musician friends and others. It was founded in June 2024 by Sarah & Peter. The aim is to bring together and elevate the work of contemporary Scottish and international artists. The hope is to develop connections between Scotland’s arts and those of Nordic and Baltic regions, and to make some new friends along the way.

a ‘sometimes’ space

The high-ceilinged interior and big walls here give an opportunity to show art and host intimate music performances or thoughtful events sometimes, across the year. But actually most days, it reverts to being a space in our home. We also have artist sojourns.

buying

As a wholly non-commercial space, K U D I R K A neither charges fees nor offers any funding. For this event we helped to facilitate sales but all proceeds went either to the artist selling a work, or  a percentage went to the Glasgow-based charity Refuweegee. Not all the works shown were for sale, that was down to each artist to choose.