Linda Gordon spent her residency at Highgreen fully immersed in the Northumberland landscape, walking in all weathers and drawing inspiration from both its natural features and traces of human occupation over the centuries. Reflecting on her experience, she noted: “Gradually I have dropped into a different rhythm, a different awareness, as I experience the dominance of the landscape and allow the forces of nature to work upon me.” Her research extended across the estate and beyond, encompassing archaeological features, farm buildings, dry stone walls, sheep stells, derelict lime kilns, and the grass-covered hollows of former coal and iron ore extraction sites.
A major source of inspiration for Linda was the prehistoric stone carvings of the Cheviot Hills, particularly the enigmatic ‘cup and ring marks.’ Their mysterious forms resonated with her longstanding interest in spirals and circles as symbols of the natural and spiritual forces that shape the landscape. Her work explores the cyclical processes of birth, death, and regeneration, creating a symbolic dialogue between earth and sky. Using simple forms and materials, she produces work that invites viewers to engage on multiple levels, from visual appreciation to more profound reflections on the natural and temporal cycles surrounding us.
Community engagement was an integral part of Linda’s residency. Children from Greenhaugh, West Woodburn, and Otterburn First Schools accompanied her on visits to the bastle at Gatehouse, where they produced charcoal drawings that Linda later transformed into display panels for the schools. In June 2006, volunteers and staff from Bill Quay Community Farm in Gateshead visited Highgreen to explore and draw alongside her, enjoying the opportunity to engage creatively with the landscape.
In April 2006, Linda ran a Help Make Art weekend open to anyone wishing to participate. This collaborative event resulted in the completion of Throughstones, a work that combined her artistic practice with contributions from local people. Throughout her residency, Linda balanced deep exploration of the landscape’s history and spiritual resonance with projects that encouraged children and adults alike to respond imaginatively to their surroundings.
Linda Gordon’s year at Highgreen reflects a profound engagement with the Northumbrian landscape, its heritage, and the cycles of nature. Her work leaves a lasting impression both through its connection to place and through the creative experiences she shared with the local community.
