Art and Torness Nuclear Station ; Power, Protest, Posterity

Creatively exploring the significance of Torness to the local community and landscape and how creativity played a part. Located just 5 miles from Dunbar, Torness is Scotland’s last operational nuclear power station. Officially opened by Margaret Thatcher in 1988, Torness has occupied a controversial place in Scotland's energy landscape for decades. This talk, presented by PhD candidate and artist Emma Meehan, explores the local nuclear geographies of Torness and Dunbar through an art historical lens. Emma will examine both the optimism of the nuclear establishment, and the creativity of protest groups in opposition to Torness, specifically the activities of SCRAM (Scottish Campaign to Resist the Atomic Menaces). This session will also include an optional creative activity, inviting participants to creatively document their own memories of and responses to Torness. Bio Emma Meehan (she/her) is an Irish artist, curator, and doctoral researcher based in Edinburgh. Currently pursuing her PhD in Art History at the University of Edinburgh. Emma’s research examines the visual culture of nuclear arms and energy in Scotland, considering climate semiotics, nuclear colonialism, and eco-nationalisms. Her project is cross supervised by Edinburgh College of Art and the School of Social and Political Science. Previously, Emma was selected as an Art Fund Curatorial Trainee to the National Gallery, during which time she curated Bristol Museums’ bicentenary exhibition in 2022. Emma’s eclectic practice is centred on place-based creativity and community co-production. Contact: [email protected] Website: https://emmameehan.squarespace.com/