kay mclafferty
My practice is centred on the preservation of the Scots language and it’s many dialects. I use coded systems, such as Morse code, to embed Scots words into sculptural forms and hand-drawn patterns. In doing so, I turn language into physical forms that can be seen, touched and experienced rather than simply spoken or read.
This work exists at the intersection of language, structure and materiality. Each piece carries meaning beneath the surface, asking the viewer to consider what is hidden, what is overlooked, and what is worth protecting. The use of code reflects a historical truth: only things of immense value were ever encrypted. In this way, I treat Scots language with the same reverence, encoding it to safeguard and elevate it.
My sculptures and drawings do not offer immediate clarity. Instead, they invite careful observation and interpretation. By placing coded language into physical space, I aim to create forms that speak persistently about Scotland’s linguistic cultural heritage.
