“Yeah, I’m speaking this language, listen to what I’m talking about”: Etta-May on modernising Gaelic and better opportunities for young islanders.
Etta-May Olley (@ettamaigh on TikTok and Instagram) is bringing the Gaelic language into mainstream content with her own social media videos, as well as special brand deals with some of Scotland’s well-known brands.
Etta-May grew up on the Isle of Harris in the Western Isles – where the population is just under 2,000. With miles of untouched landscape and rolling hills, the Isles are known to be a great place of inspiration for artists and creatives.
As with any remote location, opportunities can be limiting. And while some find better opportunities away, Etta-May described it as a “pull” that keeps the connection to the island so strong.
She recently shared a video to her 6.7k followers on TikTok and 9.7k followers on Instagram about how she felt disappointed that she can’t make the islands her home while also progressing in her career.
‘Mo Chridhe’: Katie Forbes on sharing the Gaelic Language with Modern Scotland
Katie Forbes sits down with Antagonizine to discuss her art, her love for the Gaelic Language and the family that inspired it.
What does Gaelic look like splashed across the walls of Glasgow?
Inspired by her stepfather's late mother – who she refers to as Granny Annie – and her native language, mural artist, Katie Forbes, brings the language to life with vivid colours and eye-catching designs, along with phonetic spellings to truly reach and include anybody. Katie felt drawn to learning Gaelic and truly embraced the rural Scottish side to her artistic ideas.