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framed dimensions: 43 x 52.5cm
Bressay Lighthouse is an etching that captures the quiet strength and isolation of the structure that marks the entrance to Lerwick Harbour. It distils the essence of Shetland’s light and weather, balancing sharp contrasts of tone with delicate gradations of grey. The lighthouse, stark against sea and sky, becomes both subject and metaphor: a symbol of endurance and human presence within the vast northern landscape.
Richard Rowland has worked from his studio on the Westside of Shetland since 1998. He trained in London at the Sir John Cass Art School and the Camden Institute, choosing to specialise in etching in 1986. Since then, he has exhibited regularly in London and Shetland.
Richard works with traditional techniques and materials first used by Rembrandt in the 17th century, enhanced by aquatint, a process later developed to create tone. He works predominantly in monotone, though some recent prints explore the challenge of colour.
His etchings are deeply rooted in the landscape and light of the islands he calls home. The weathered textures, elemental forms, and shifting light of Shetland’s coastline are reflected in his finely balanced compositions. Over the years, the islands’ atmosphere and heritage have become central to his subject matter, inspiring works that balance precision, patience, and sensitivity to place.
It is this shared dedication to material authenticity, place, and process which forms the essence of Richard Rowland’s artistic vision. His work celebrates the craft traditions of Shetland through a medium that demands patience, precision, and a deep engagement with the natural world.
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