A north-east artist will travel to Japan to compare its famous Mount Fuji with the Cairngorms as part of a project.
Julie-Ann Simpson, originally of Sheddocksley, is currently preparing for a two-month residency in Kofu City, where she plans to explore how residents interact with the natural landscape.
Through her painting, she hopes to draw potential parallels between Kofu and Aberdeen’s proximity to mountainous regions.
The 25-year-old will stay at AIR-Y – Artist in Residence Yamanashi – an artist-run space during her self-funded stay.
Julie-Ann, who previously attended Hazlehead Academy before studying at Robert Gordon University’s Gray’s School of Art, hopes to gather research for a wider collection of work based on her time abroad, looking at human experience and nature.
She said: “The location of Kofu is interesting to me as it is located in a basin surrounded by mountains, the most iconic of which is Mount Fuji. I have been thinking about the Cairngorms and their proximity to Aberdeen – how mountains form part of our national identity as symbols.
“Nan Shepherd’s writings have also been hugely influential to me and this is something I seek to unpack further during the residency.
“Both locations have access to remarkable landscapes and nature and there are similarities in how people have used the landscape for industries such as agriculture and fishing.
“It’s also interesting to see how, as these industries decline, creative industries step up to fill that void.”
Julie-Ann, who now lives in Glasgow, also recently took part in Aberdeen’s Look Again festival and praised the Granite City’s art scene.
She added: “Aberdeen has been really good to me and there is a real family atmosphere in the art and culture community there.
“Everyone is always helpful and willing to lend a hand or offer advice. I’m still very connected to the city.”