Our Own Shows
Some of our past exhibitions have been curated by Shetland Museum and Archives staff, or have been on loan for special display from national or international institutions.
We are proud to have a facility capable of exhibiting high profile, exiting shows which gives people in Shetland the opportunity to see, firsthand, iconic artefacts and items which, although may not be specific to Shetland's heritage, are nonetheless very important - and popular. Exhibitions on local subjects curated by our staff are also very popular and well visited. Examples of these are below.
View Full Size40 Years of Art at Shetland Museum
View Full SizeArmada Cannon
View Full SizeFocus display of merchant bottles
View Full SizeFrom Old Rock to New Life - Emigration Show
View Full SizeThe Lewis Chessmen
View Full SizeHigh Seas and High Teas - an exhibition of tea trading
View Full SizeSkaill Hoard
View Full SizeTaatit Rugs
View Full SizeTriceratops skull from the Hunterian Museum
View Full SizeWriting the North partnership exhibition
Gunnister Man, in partnership with National Museums Scotland. September 2009.
Gayer-Anderson Cat, loaned from The British Museum. September 2012.
Skaill Hoard exhibition, in partnership with National Museums Scotland. July 2013.
Gentle Giant, dinosaur exhibition in parternship with The Hunterian Museum,University of Glasgow. September 2013.
Writing the North exhibition, in partnership with the Arts & Humanities Research Council, University of Edunburgh and Orkney Library. March 2014.
Blockade: 1914-1918. Self -curated exhibition on Shetlanders during WW1. August 2014.
Don McCullin Exhibition, in partnership with Shetland Arts, Artists Rooms, Tate and National Galleries Scotland. November 2014.
James Robertson map exhibition, in partnership with the National Library of Scotland. September 2015.
Portable Altars
Focus Display, Early Peoples Zone
Portable altars were marked with 5 crosses, depicting the wounds of Christ on the Cross. Some were made from wood with the relic cavity covered by a piece of recycled marble or porfido verde antico.
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Authentic or not? 'Shetland' Knitting Patterns 1840-1880
Foyer
An exhibition examining recreated lace knitting patterns from the 1800s.
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Ships in Bottles
Shetland Museum & Archives, upper gallery
Focus display with the Museum Ships in Bottles collection
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Shetland Family History Society - Focus Display
Upper Foyer
This year the Society has been researching the Shetland family name ‘Robertson’. The exhibition in the upper foyer combines their research and a selection of artefacts from the Museum’s collection.
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Gilly Bridle - Cutting Pictures
Upper Foyer
Gilly is a designer, illustrator and maker. She specialised in knitwear design as part of her BA in Textile Design from Manchester University. She then spent over 20 years fitting in her design and illustration work around raising a family and building a croft on the west coast island of Lismore.
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Simone Landwehr-Traxler - Spinning a Yarn - Fair Isle Banners
Foyer Corridor
The banners are one aspect of ‘Spinning a Yarn’ which was a creative investigation of Fair Isle’s unique knitting patterns. This project started with a footnote stating that the eponymous patterns originated in Iberia having been passed to the islanders by shipwrecked Spanish Sailors in the 1580’s.
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Shetland Football Association - celebrating 100 years
Da Gadderie
The exhibition focuses on all nine Association member clubs. It includes a great selection of vintage and contemporary photographs. The interactive aspects to the show are sure to be a crowd puller. There has been a wonderful response from the community with people kindly lending a fascinating variety of memorabilia which includes some rare items. Look out for photo opportunities for all ages.
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Design Exhibition by Events Students
Foyer Corridor
Three shows in one. This year’s Enterprise & events students have been following a dynamic design process to create exciting and individual design ‘take aways’. These reflect students personal interests using materials in an imaginative way. There are also sculptures based on organic forms that are made by art students studying a Natural world module. Forward Directions Art Students
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Reconsidering Wool - The Laird's Witch
Shetland Museum and Archives
Our latest exhibition by the incredibly talented Susan Pearson Art. A fusion of delicate lace and unyielding concrete, Susan has created a visually stunning display that you won’t want to miss.
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