“Finding Dr Garvie” exhibition opening

Photos by Dr Garvie (Photo: Jenny Hall)

Saturday 15 March was the opening of  “Finding Dr Garvie” , the exhibition based on the creative collaboration between North Ronaldsay islanders, the wider Orkney community, and Fiona Sanderson.

This project arose from the island photographs of Dr Garvie, who was doctor on North Ronaldsay for 16 years, almost a century ago. A selection of these photographs are also on show, along with three of the nine albums of photographs that are now held by the Orkney Library and Archive. These albums include Garvie’s handwritten notes and captions.

An enthusiastic and interested audience were present for an entertaining and informative talk by Fiona.  Memories were stirred for those attending from the island and more stories shared.

You can read more about the Exhibition here

Fiona Sanderson at the exhibition she curated

The photos also document life on North Ronaldsay in the 1930s and 40s.  Although one photo of a cow being lifted onto the ferry via a sling stirred memories for some as this practice continued into 1970s.

Beatrice Garvie photo album (Photo: Jenny Hall)

One visitor commented on how natural the poses were of those on the island and how comfortable they must have felt with Dr Garvie taking their photo.

Two films created as part of the project with both the North Ronaldsay Community School and the wider community are on view.

There followed a fascinating talk by Lesley Booth describing her research of the Fair Isle “Garvie” sweater and tammie, which she reconstructed from a black and white photograph of Dr Garvie. Both these garments form part of the exhibition. She first came across the photograph at the “Glean” exhibition of Scottish Women Photographers, of which Dr Garvie’s photos were a part.  Lesley has extensively researched the colour ways and styles of Fair Isle, during the 1920s and 1930s, the period evidence suggests the pattern dates from.

Swatches produced by Lesley Booth as part of her
experimenting with patterns and colours. (Photo: Jenny Hall)

This vibrant jumper and tammie are part of the exhibition, the ensemble brought together by a pair of jodhpurs, very like those Dr Garvie was known to wear.

Lesley Booth standing beside her recreation of the Garvie jumper
 and tammie (Photo: Sian Thomas)

Research is still ongoing as to where the jumper and tammie may have originated.  Dr Garvie may have bought it before she moved to North Ronaldsay.  Or it may have been a gift on North Ronaldsay, or bought in Shetland.  Lesley has recently discovered a similar pattern used in Ireland too, so there are still unanswered questions.

Tammie recreated by Lesley Booth
 (Photo: Jenny Hall)

A couple of exhibits produced by the Orkney Women Doctors Research Group form part of the display.  A box bed quilt c1940 which has been embroidered to represent the map of Orkney and each women doctor identified so far, where they lived or practised.

Quilt representing all the Orkney Women Doctors identified so far.
 (Created by Orkney Women Doctors Research Group. Photo: Sian Thomas)

In addition an apothecary chest displays the biographies of some of the earliest women doctors who were in Orkney before 1910.

Apothecary chest (Photo: Sian Thomas)

Some of the Orkney Women Doctors Research group will give a talk at the Pier Arts Centre at 2pm on 26 April, on the final day of the exhibition.  Admission is free, but booking is essential as places are limited.  To book email: info@pierartscentre.com or telephone 01856 850209

The exhibition continues at the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness until 26th April. Pier Arts Centre Link

 Blog post written by Sian Thomas

With thanks to the Orkney Library and Archive and to Lothian Health Services Archive for the use of images.

Further Reading:

A review of the exhibition in the Orkney News can be found here

And further information about Dr Garvie can be found here