Siobhan McLaughlin's Earth Pigment Paintings at Jupiter Artland's 'Extraction'

The group exhibition 'Extraction' at Jupiter Artland highlights local connections to the climate crisis. Siobhan McLaughlin employs earth pigments sourced from the nearby Five Sisters Bing, a byproduct of the oil shale industry, to create her paintings. Her canvases are crafted from leftover materials collected during her walks, such as a fisherman's smock fabric from Cornwall and textiles from Barbara Hepworth's studio. Approximately 90% of her work consists of earth pigment, with only a small amount of blue. McLaughlin extracts ochre from the River Leven's mining runoff in Fife, benefiting fish populations. She investigates how color conveys social, cultural, and political narratives, emphasizing that the bings, despite being waste, are among Scotland's richest biodiversity hotspots. Her textile practice includes a series inspired by her grandmother's collection of contact relics and a collaboration with Strathberry handbags using offcuts. The exhibition is open until 26th July.