Experience x FIREFLIES in the Shetland Islands

Bringing Mayflies to Shetland has been an incredible experience—one that extends far beyond the exhibition itself. This project has always been about capturing the spirit of creative self-expression, and in Shetland, that spirit is alive and thriving.

As part of the exhibition, I was invited to join a panel to help curate the work of local photographers, highlighting Shetland’s own vibrant creative community. It was a privilege to engage with artists who, like me, are fascinated by the fleeting moments that define us—expressions of identity, passion, and storytelling captured through the lens. Mayflies is built on the idea of celebrating these moments, and it was inspiring to see that same ethos reflected in Shetland’s photographers.

The timing of the exhibition was especially meaningful, coinciding with Up Helly Aa, Shetland’s legendary fire festival. Each year, locals come together in a spectacular torchlit procession, paying tribute to the islands’ Viking heritage. It’s an event rooted in tradition yet driven by an evolving creative energy, much like Mayflies itself. The care, craftsmanship, and dedication that go into every detail of Up Helly Aa—costumes, performances, and the grand finale of the burning galley—are the same elements that fuel my passion for photography. There’s a shared appreciation for process, storytelling, and the power of collective expression.

Photography, to me, is about more than just the final image—it’s about the journey. From hand-painting backdrops to waiting for the perfect festival dates, every element of Mayflies has been carefully considered to honour the people and moments it captures. Seeing the project come to life in Shetland, and having the chance to collaborate with the local creative community, has been a true highlight of this journey.

Mayflies complements Fireflies in the Lower Café, an exhibition featuring a selection of photographs taken across Shetland which shows the passion each local photographer holds for our Fire Festivals, marking seasonal change and remembering the Vikings that came before us. By juxtaposing the deeply rooted traditions of Up Helly Aa with the universal themes of Mayflies, both exhibitions reveal the shared human impulse to gather, transform, and celebrate. Both projects explore the interplay of costume, identity, and community—how individuals express themselves within the collective, and how rituals connect us across time and place.

The exhibition runs from February to June 2025 at Mareel in Lerwick, UK.

You can find out more at: http://shetlandarts.org