In recent years I have been exploring the rock material of Ailsa Craig, the heart of an ancient volcano situated off the west coast of Scotland. I have worked with this ‘rock’ – in both the island and the native stone material senses of the word – in many ways and it continues to be a source of inspiration for my thinking about print, process and place.

The island is situated off the west coast of Scotland. It is well known, not only as an outstanding landmark to travellers by sea through the North Channel and Firth of Clyde, but as the source of some of the world’s finest curling stones manufactured in a humble factory in the village I call home. The rock is a geologists dream and is famous geologically as the origin of ‘marker’ erratics found in glacial deposits over wide areas around the Irish Sea.

The body of the curling stone is crafted from Common Green granite whilst the interior is filled with a Blue Hone insert known as an Ailsert. Combining the characteristics of these two granites produces the perfect stone for competition, a super stone.

Super Stone (2022), Digital pigment print, 32cm x 32cm