Martin S. Laird

Artist | film-maker | animator

Tag: iScot

  • The Miracle of Bishop William the Old

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    Black and white India ink drawing of Bishop William the Old experiencing a miracle of Magnus the Martyr. William suddenly loses and regains his sight, and becomes convinced in Magnus’ saintly nature. By Orcadian artist Martin Laird.

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    Bishop William the Old miraculously loses and regains his sight. Black and white india ink drawing showing Bishop William stretching his hands up towards God. Behind him the skeletal visage of Saint Magnus removes his hands from William's eyes.

  • Passing the Standard

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    Passing the Standard Loosely inspired by stories in Norse mythology about the Raven Banner, which brought victory to the army but death to the standard-bearer. A Highlander carrying a saltire is stabbed in the back. A young girl reaches for the banner amid a sea of jeering men. For additional context you may wish to…

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    Martin Laird
    Passing the Standard. A man in highland dress carrying a Saltire flag is stabbed in the back by a masked woman in red. A young girl carrying a small Saltire reaches towards him. They are surrounded by a horde of angry bald men. In the background the Wallace Monument and forest are silhouetted against a burning sky.

  • For Whom does the Wind Blow?

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    Orkney is a windy place and can generate more power than it needs from its many wind turbines. Unfortunately the energy distribution network is not set up to take advantage of this. There is currently no easy way to export surplus electricity, and the price tariffs energy suppliers impose on consumers penalise people living in…

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    Martin Laird
    For Whom does the Wind Blow, energy policy being reserved to Westminster? Cartoon depicting Alistair Carmichael MP blowing a paper wind turbine. Pen, ink & gouache, 2019.

  • Cataclysmic climate change?

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    Cataclysmic climate change? Just roll with it! When Arnold Schwarzenegger became Governer of California in 2003, he was criticised for claiming to care about the environment whilst driving around in a Hummer (of which he owned six). This incredibly masculine status symbol gets around 10 miles to the gallon, and is the exact opposite of…

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    Martin Laird
    Cataclysmic climate change? Just roll with it! The all-new Toyanka Wastelander. Gas-guzzling SUV driver throws rubbish at a walker while potentially fatally close-passing a cyclist.

  • Happy Valley – tribute to Edwin Harrold

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    A tribute to Edwin Harrold Cartoon created for The Orkney News column in the July 2018 edition of iScot magazine, written by Fiona Grahame. The quote, “What you don’t have, you don’t miss,” comes from an interview with Edwin Harrold’s former neighbour Ruby Spence, as outlined here. Edwin Harrold was by all accounts quite a…

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    Martin Laird
    Edwin Harrold riding his bicycle fast with his pet rook flying beside. Plants grow in his wake and a little boy waves at him.

  • Cartoon – The Wreck of the Crown of London

    Cartoon created to accompany The Orkney News article in the June 2018 edition of iScot magazine, about the Orkney connection to the Scottish Covenanters. The drawing references the dark artistic vision of William Blake. The figure of Urizen represents an aspect of God in Blake’s personal mythology. The Covenanters were a 17th Century Scottish Presbyterian…

    Written by

    Martin Laird
    cartoon showing praying covenanters in the hold of the ship 'The Crown of London'. One says "Lord, let us not die slaves in an English colony." In the next panel a William-Blake inspired God sinks the ship and says "I really should just drown this entire Me-forsaken country."