Mapping the island
While staying in Stromness, Barns-Graham frequently took long walks and went on several coastal drives, often visiting Ness Point, Warebeth Beach, and the Kirkyard cemetery in Stromness. She additionally took several small trips to Kirkwall, Finstown, and Stenness.
Images: (Above) Untitled, 1987, BGT6187
(Right) View of Stromness from Ness Point BGP/1/9/33 and Cow in a field, BGP/1/9/79.
First Days
15 August
Barns-Graham and Rowan James take the ferry from Scrabster to Stromness, Orkney. They are staying at The Ferry Inn.
18 August
The opening of Barns-Graham’s exhibition at the Pier Art Centre.
19 August
Barns-Graham’s original departure date. She decides to stay on and extend her time in Orkney.
Images: (Above) Newspaper cutting, WBG/10/7/58.
(Right) Extract from Barns-Graham’s 1984 diary, WBG/4/1/42/128, and Pier Art Centre, BGP/1/9/27.
Staying in Orkney
20 August
Barns-Graham moves into a studio above the Pier Art Centre, where she is now “artist-in-residence”.
She takes a day trip to the Earl’s Castle Ruins and the Loch of Swannay.
21 August
Rowan James leaves Orkney.
22 August
Barns-Graham first visits Stenigar house.
She attends a beach barbeque in honor of her role as “artist-in-residence”.
Images: (Below) Orkney, 1984-86, BGT722
(Right) View from Barns-Graham’s studio room at the Pier Art Centre in Stromness, BGP/1/9/18, and Earl’s Castle ruins, BGP/1/9/163.
24 August
Barns-Graham is a guest on Radio Orkney show, interviewed by Mungo Dunnett.
I’m planning to stay on and I’ve been met with great kindness here and I think I should be able to stay on and do a little work.
Radio Orkney Interview, Tape 33 – 2:52
30 August
Rowan James returns to Orkney with Barns-Graham’s niece Sarah. Now traveling with a car, they take several trips around the island.
Image: September Evening, Orkney, 1985-1986, BGT586.
Trips around Orkney
31 August
Barns-Graham, Rowan James, and Sarah Barns-Graham drive around Orkney. They drive along the coast, and visit:
- Maeshow Buried Tombs
- Deerness
- “The Gloup” cavern
- The Italian chapel
Barns-Graham buys a new camera, as she says the photographs from her previous one were “disappointing as so small + square when everything feels long” (21 August 1984 Diary; WBG/4/1/42/129).
1 September
Rowan James and Sarah leave Orkney.
Image: A panoramic photo taken and fabricated by Barns-Graham, BGP/3/10/93.
Images: (Above) Rowan James in chanbered cairn, BGP/1/9/58, and “The Gloup”, BGP/1/9/128.
(Right) Rock formation, BGP/1/8/194, and Interior of the Italian Chapel, BGP/1/9/94.
3 September
Barns-Graham visits the Yesnaby rock formations.
Images: (Below) Landscape I, 1987, BGT140
(Right) Rock formations, BGP/1/9/190 and BGP/1/9/191
…huge dramatic fascinating structures of cliffs in ridges + incredible menacing enticing atmosphere.. it so reminded me of my pc. of glacier shelf – it was all in lines – so very glad I went + lots to draw but I was also very alarmed + frightened…
3 September 1984 Diary, WBG/4/1/142/138
4 September
Barns-Graham visits Rousay. She visits Margaret Gardiner’s cottage, and goes to several chambered cairns, including Midhowe Broch, the Blackhammer, and Taversoe Tuick.
Image: (Above) Orkney, 1984, BGT755
5 September
Barns-Graham visits Radland farm and sees traditional Orcadian homesteads.
Images: (Above) Orkney Series, 1985, BGT1621
(Right) Farming machinery, BGP/1/9/80 and a field of stooks, BGP/1/9/125
Final Days
8 September
The final day of Barns-Graham’s exhibition at the Pier Art Centre.
She later attends a performance by the Scottish Baroque Ensemble at St. Magnus’ Cathedral.
“The cathedral looking like I hadn’t seen it, pinks, Indian reds, the stones glowing like a pink sunset (with cream in it) touched with the grey point work + the huge round pillars… like a narrower small red St. Andrews parish or town church – What atmosphere, + I enjoyed the concert.”
8 September 1984 Diary, WBG4/1/142/141
Image: (Right) Exhibition poster for W. Barns-Graham: Paintings and Drawings at Pier Art Centre, WBG/3/87/1/2
9 September
Barns-Graham spends time at Billia Croo beach.
17 September
A visit to the Stromness Museum.
18 September
Barns-Graham has tea with George Mackay Brown, whom she greatly admires.
Image: (Right) Orkney, 1987, BGT1273
Farewell
20 September
A farewell party is thrown for Barns-Graham by her new Orcadian friends.
I don’t want to leave. What a happy miraculous visit – of 37 days!
Diary entry 20 September 1984
21 September
Barns-Graham leaves Orkney, WBG4/1/142/148.
Image: (Right) A page from Barns-Graham’s sketchbook, BGT6937.
1985 Timeline
On her second visit to Orkney, Barns-Graham struggled against the bad Orcadian weather and ill health. Instead of traveling around the island, she instead dedicated much of her time to drawing and working on her Orcadian series of collages.
Return to Orkney
2 September
Barns-Graham arrives in Orkney. She begins her stay at Sinegar House.
Images: (Above) Untitled, 1986, BGT6175.
(Right) Stenigar House, where Barns-Graham stayed on her second trip to Orkney, BGP/1/9/34.
A Period of Work
While she continued to work on her Orkney-inspired series of works through 1985, 1986, and 1987, several works were begun during her 1985 stay in Orkney, including sketches, collages, or taking photographs of Orkney for later reference. Barns-Graham additionally spent time knitting her series of abstract design ties during this trip.
2 October
Barns-Graham begins Collage 5.
4 October
Barns-Graham begins Collage 6.
6 October
Barns-Graham begins Collage 4.
9 October
Barns-Graham finishes knitting a purple tie.
Image: (Right) Warbeth 5, 1985, BGT775.
