Rosie Cunningham

Zine 5 - Culture Ceilidh

How would you describe your profession?

I’m a freelance Illustrator.

What’s your country of origin, and when did you come to Scotland?

I was born in Carlisle, England, but have lived on the same street in Glasgow since 2003. Apart from living in Germany and China for short periods, I have lived here for longer than anywhere else.

How did you end up here?

I came to Glasgow to study at the art school. Being here helped me connect with my grandmother who lived in Glasgow all her life, as well as feeling a connection with the city, landscapes and coasts of Scotland.

As an artist, what medium and formats do you use?

Call me old-fashioned, but I love pencil and A4 paper. I often use inks, pens, and nib pens, especially on larger scale work (still on paper, usually) but simple pencil and paper is my real love. I have recently been exploring collage and also drying and pressing collected seaweed to make art.

Has your or your experience of migration influenced your art? 

I migrated to China around 2009 and it was an incredibly eye-opening experience; amazing, powerful and exciting, but also fraught with anxiety. I could not find a place to be myself and felt constantly misunderstood in all sorts of ways. I feel very Scottish now, rather than English, but accept that in reality I am a true mixture of both via my heritage too. I have had flatmates from Japan, Kenya, Poland, Brazil, Germany, Korea, Ireland and Northern Ireland; their experiences were often difficult in terms of language, culture and belonging. I try to empathise with that, especially having been in the same position in China. It was another world. My mother was born in England but lived in Australia with her family until she was 7 when they returned to the UK. I think that journey has been impactful on her life but also in my understanding of concepts of ‘home’ and family. Journeys are something I am fascinated with; getting from one place to another and being present for more than the destination.

How is your identity interwoven with Scotland? 

I feel that being English in Scotland used to be more difficult, now I have adapted so that people can’t really tell. For me, the migration is nuanced because England is so close and I now feel more affinity with my Scottish identity! I imagine it would perhaps be different if I was from further away.

Because I have family history in this city, for me it’s more about uncovering and understanding how I fit into the story of Glasgow through my family, through time, and through all the changes that Glasgow has and is experiencing. I sometimes see Glasgow through my grandmother’s eyes, through stories she told.

What is your zine poster artwork about? What medium did you use and why?

I captured moments of dance and celebration at a Migrant Voice ceilidh. What a joy! It was such a pleasure to draw people in the moment on paper, and everyone was delighted to be immortalised. I used ink and brushes so the drawings could be done quickly, but also to introduce movement and to have fun with the weight of the brush. It was pure play.

Has anything happened in your career as a result of you contributing your artwork to Migrant Voice’s zine series?

I have worked with Migrant Voice a few more times since making the ceilidh live illustration - so that’s wonderful for me! I love the work they do, the people I have met are incredibly generous with their time and talents. I am coming to realise that not everyone can do the work I do in the way I do it. That’s a big confidence win for me. Anyone I drew that night still tells me what it means to them - and what is more valuable than true connection?

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your art, experience of migration, or heritage?

I find migration such a complex topic; in my experience it’s a difficult road. It can be freeing and joyous, but it can be crushing and emotionally wrenching. Like everything I experience - it changes the way I see the world, offers new perspectives and keeps things moving.