A hanging artwork based on the work of Shetland’s famous poet Rhoda Bulter leads Quarff man to win annual isles cultural award

The winner of the 2026 Rhoda Bulter Award has been announced, taking the prize with a wall-hanging artwork inspired by one of Bulter’s famous poems.

Liam Summers from Quarff said he “enjoyed the challenge” of entering the competition which asked applicants to create an artwork based on one of four renowned Bulter poems.

As well as the artwork, entrants had to write a short artist’s statement describing their work and how it developed from poem to finished piece.

Summers selected Caald Clods an Tinder has his inspiration.

“It offered a new take on my usual artwork. I took my response to the poem and the personal memories it prompted, getting that reflected in the work I made”.

The competition celebrates the life and work of the late Rhoda Bulter who was a poet, performer and promoter of the Shaetlan language.

It is judged by Rhoda and Dennis Bulter’s family.

John Bulter, speaking on behalf of his siblings, said the high standard of all the entries made it a very difficult task.

He emphasised how important the artists’ statements had been, with their own stories enriching the artwork itself.

Language promotion group, Shetland ForWirds supports the competition and The Shetland Museum and Archives have found space to exhibit the artwork in June and July.

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