སྲམ་ Dòbhran is a modest initiation of a dynamic journey in reimagining values generated through art economy. It begins with reinforcing monetary relations of one artist — Shen Xin, to their commitments in place in Northern An t-eilean Sgitheanach (Isle of Skye), and from their diasporic agency in Sichuan and Kham regions. The foundation publishes children’s stories and translations of texts, through collectively channeling monetary values from art making back into knowledge systems and communities of the land. The reassigning of values is a process in collaboration with sites and relations that enable the reintegration of monetary exchanges with dimensions of shared stories, which facilitates multiple values to be generated, protected, and cared for.
SRAM DOBHRAN (སྲམ་ Dòbhran) is named after a keystone species, Eurasian Otter (lutra lutra), that can be found both in Sichuan and Kham regions, and on the Isle of Skye, the highland of Scotland. The name recalls the lores, histories, and ecosystems in Eurasian Otters’ relational existence. It also honours the founder and artist’s life partner Ali Van, for whom the animal’s spirit imprints onto, and with whom the life knowing values in place is led.
Beings and relations
Uaine (green in gàidhlig), sharing an abode and protection from south-west wind with Sneachd (snow), Gilm (buzzard), Glas (yellow), Ialtag (bat), and Mathan (bear). A four month old arrival to a cold and green Spring in North Skye, and pictured here with blue spray covering a healed wound that has once been an initiation of a new family.
Mòine (gàidhlig for peat), child of parents from Na Hearadh (Isle of Harris) and An t-Eilean Sgitheanach (Isle of Skye), whose ancestors traveled by sea to the worlds on water. Pictured here three month of age, the smallest of ten siblings, whose once unstable legs have grown to be devoted to moss digging, stone collecting, and hill strolling.
Tarbh (gàidhlig for bull), the calm spirit of four once feral feline kins, pictured here as a four month old sibling to Caim (sanctuary) and Ail (trace), together they share the meticulous care from the older and loving Lugh (protector of light). Staring out of the window to an island where the legend of tarbh uisge (water bull) roamed, one discovers the measure of one’s body, into a basket and a singing bowl.
Ali Van practices axiology. Her work finds measure in languages of love, prefiguring light and psyche. As one of four and the eldest grandchild on family trees, her give to hold extends its reach through tender focus, active rest, and root conservation. Through a.f.t. Cooperative she directs Seawitch, a studio by the sea, and founds Rolodex, its publishing place, in pursuit of living with care and collective integrity. To celebrate life and presence, Ali moves between wild meadows with her partner and Sram Dobhran founder Shen Xin, with sentient sovereignties, creative cooking, and a heartful family of spirited beings.
Born in 1996 to a family of nomads, སྐྱིད་དར་འཛོམས། (Skyid Dar ‘adzoms) is a Tibetan ecologist from Biru County. Currently a PhD student at Minzu University of China, her research encompasses the ecosystem of Tibetan Plateau as well as Tibet’s history of humanity. She is committed to the environmental protection in Tibet, while bearing witness to its ecological issues and relations.
Working with moving image, installation, sound, text, painting, and performance, Shen Xin practices co-creating languages rooted in epistemic relationships manifested from the land. An advocate for the potential of innate belonging, they learn the grammar of sense, volition, technique, and spaciousness through abiding knowing in relations. They were born in Chengdu, Sichuan, and finds home in Northern An t-eilean Sgitheanach (Isle of Skye) and Mni Sota Makoce.
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