For the Covenant brief I was drawn into the people behind the uniform. Peeling back the layers constructed around the controversial subject of the army and revealing the individual identities behind them. Tackling pre-conceived stigma around the military and understanding the realisation of the life behind a soldier. I was drawn into the notion of tradition and the overarching pride of being a soldier in the context within Scotland. This led me into using my own personal connection of being a former pipe band drummer as inspiration and as an insight into this traditional and rhythmical lifestyle.
I want my work to convey the importance of the continuation of tradition within the army in Scotland which I observed in my research visits. Expressing the pride for those who served before themselves which is shown in my work. This pride rooted within history which is distinctive compared to the rest of the British military. Embedded within histories of traditional dress and musical traditions which made the idea of the Scottish soldier idealistic. However, I want to convey this as an understanding of one layer within the army. This utopian context of pride is something that unites individual identities in complex and delicate situations.
Learning how to handle such delicate content through an artistic response is something which can be challenging but crucial. Understanding that balance between opinion and professionalism when undertaking a project which can unturn conflicting opinions.