Sweet little history...

The Absent Voices artists are all busy working on preliminary studies for this exciting artist-led project which aims to tell the creative story of Greenock's sugar industry.

Absent Voices formally set up its stall last month and over the next year, until next November, there will be much activity relating to their work exploring this fascinating sweet slice Scottish history.

The 15-month-long project culminates with an exhibition in Greenock's McLean Museum & Art Gallery, but before then, expect an explosion of pictures, words and song.

The artists are already out and about working in Greenock, with schools and other community groups.

This page, from the sketch book of Greenock-born Absent Voices artist and former teacher, Anne McKay, lets you peek inside what is going on in her head at the moment.

She says: "I've been doing sketches in charcoal and pastel, considering the life that existed within the sugar sheds and the spirits which quietly live there.

"Their Absent Voices can still be heard , if we listen closely enough.
 
"My sketches show their hard work, courage, and sense of community.

"Couples met there, fell in love and worked together. Horses worked alongside them. I've discovered that bullocks' blood was used in the sugar-making process too.

"There must have been humour. Like the boys throwing down sugar to the girls who waited outside. Now and again, they would throw down water!"