Making the 'Orkney Sequence' - how collaboration works in the arts

In celebration of Orkney’s summer and winter solstices, renowned artist Victoria Crowe and Orkney-based composer Gemma McGregor have collaborated on the Orkney Sequence, an evocative musical composition inspired by Crowe’s recent Orkney paintings.

This event offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the artist and composer about how the collaboration developed and what Orkney means to them. Hosted by Robyn Marsack, the conversation will explore their creative processes, the ways Orkney has inspired their work, and what this partnership has brought to each of their practices.

Audiences will gain insight into how two artists working in different disciplines respond to a shared source of inspiration. The event will include a discussion between Crowe and McGregor and a film projection of Crowe's paintings, accompanied by a broadcast of a recording of Gemma's work Sea Shimmer played by the Hebrides Ensemble.

The collaboration is rooted in Orkney’s distinctive spirit of place, its sense of deep time, rich history, and elemental landscape. The Orkney Sequence is intended as a poetic, immersive and meditative response to the natural world, inviting audiences to experience Orkney through both sound and image.

Art & Music Composition Collaboration Screening and talk.

This event is a showcase of collaborative art through paintings and sounds, followed by a short talk and a Q&A. There may be some interactive parts of the event, but you can just sit back and enjoy listening.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+
• Event format: This event is an Art & Music Composition Collaboration Screening and talk. It will involve speakers sharing their thoughts, followed by a Q&A. There may be some interactive parts of the event, but you can just sit back and enjoy listening.

• Filming: Livestreaming and photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed. Recorded events will be made available on the RSE YouTube channel.

SPEAKER

Artist

Dr Victoria Crowe studied at Kingston School of Art from 1961-65 and at the Royal College of Art, London, from 1965-68. At her postgraduate show, she was invited by Sir Robin Philipson to teach at Edinburgh College of Art. For thirty years she worked as a lecturer in the School of Drawing and Painting while developing her own artistic practice. In 2000, Crowe’s exhibition 'A Shepherd’s Life' was curated for the National Galleries of Scotland. Crowe was awarded an OBE for Services to Art in 2004. In 2019 The City Art Centre held a retrospective entitled '50 Years of Painting'.

Crowe is a member of the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA). She has exhibited internationally and undertaken many important portrait commissions. Crowe’s work is held in public and private collections worldwide. She is represented in Scotland by The Scottish Gallery and in London by Flowers Gallery.

SPEAKER

Composer

Dr Gemma McGregor is a composer from Orkney who writes in musical genres including opera, choral, chamber orchestra, and film music. She was appointed Teaching Fellow in Music at the University of Aberdeen in 2016 and was awarded her doctorate in 2017. Her compositions have been performed internationally. ‘Love Was His Meaning’, her composition for choir, soprano, and harp was recorded by Corvus Consort for their album, ‘Welcome Joy’, in 2024. It was selected as BBC Radio 3 Essential Classics Album of the Week. She enjoys collaborating and has created pieces with visual artists, dancers, filmmakers, sculptors, writers and a scientist. McGregor collaborated with artist Anne Bevan and filmmaker Mark Jenkins on the film, ‘Beside the Deep Ocean of Time’ about wave energy. It is on permanent exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy. She is currently working on a commission for an orchestral piece for North Wales International Festival 2026.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 5 − Sunday 13 September 2026!

Curious is Scotland’s annual festival of knowledge. Across its seven-year history, Curious has welcomed over 10,000 attendees into its yearly programme of talks, workshops, discussions and exhibitions – all covering different topics and subject areas. There’s no need for you to have any prior specialist knowledge before coming along, just bring your curious self! With plenty of events both in person and online, you can take part from anywhere.

You can check out the full programme of events here.

Accessibility

We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or have any questions related to how we can support this event, please contact [email protected]. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website.

• Step-free access: Ramped access for visitors is available via 26 George Street through Lakeland. Upon arrival, please call 0131 240 5000 and a member of staff will meet you and guide you to the event. Please note that the entrance ramp has a steep gradient (1:12).

• Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Curious team on [email protected].

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