A unique work of art by Ullapool artist Allison Weightman was today unveiled at LifeScan Scotland’s Beechwood premises.

Following a year of planning, designing and making, the impressive, outdoor sculpture was unveiled in front of an audience of leading figures from the Scottish art scene and LifeScan Scotland employees.

Allison Weightman and her standing stones at today's unveiling (photo Ewen Weatherspoon)

The project was the brain child of employee, Keith Lawrie who founded the popular ‘myArt’ programme, whereby employee artists can exhibit their art internally and sell to other members of staff.

“2011 was a year of celebration for LifeScan Scotland, being the tenth anniversary of becoming part of the Johnson & Johnson family,” said Keith.  “Johnson & Johnson also celebrated 125 years last year, so I really wanted to do something significant to mark those milestones.”

The idea kicked off and it was Keith’s objective to get as many employees involved in making the sculpture as possible, but he needed a specialist partner to make that happen.

Keith contacted Craft Scotland, a registered charity which represents almost 1,800 craft micro-businesses – including makers, galleries and craft shops – across Scotland. They sourced several, appropriate artists for LifeScan Scotland’s project.  The brief said specifically that there had to be employee involvement and the artists then submitted their proposals.  The employees chose the design of local artist Allison Weightman through a voting process.

Craft Scotland then partnered with LifeScan Scotland throughout the making process, which included several hundred employees working with Allison to imprint their own messages and short poems on clay tiles.  The tiles were then set in concrete around the standing stones as an integral part of the overall sculpture.

Emma Walker, Chief Executive of Craft Scotland said:

“This is the first time Craft Scotland has worked on a sculpture project, and as with any new project we weren’t sure what the outcome would be.  However when LifeScan Scotland approached me to invite Craft Scotland to become a delivery partner, I was immediately struck by the team’s passion for ensuring every staff member in Inverness had the opportunity to participate. The project has been a huge success and Craft Scotland will be looking for ways to replicate this model in the future.  We hope to continue our partnership with LifeScan Scotland by finding new ways for their staff to get involved with makers and their craft.”

Artist Allison and her team of helpers battled through all weathers as the sculpture neared completion at the end of 2011.

“It has been a privilege working in LifeScan,” said Allison.  “I have always felt the importance of involving the people who are to live with a piece of art, in the process from the beginning; it was a brave and unique approach that a commission such as this one, was taken on by the fantastic team I have worked with.  Collaborating with the staff has been special to me and I hope they are proud of what I have done with their work.  Although not everyone made a piece for the finished piece of work, I hope that those who didn’t, get pleasure from it just the same. The marriage of Highland materials from east and west, I think, is one made in heaven and I will miss the special time I have spent there, even though the Highland weather was not that kind!”

Source: LifeScan Scotland