Scottish Maritime Museum in Dumbarton reopens with Woven Waves: The Jutland Tapestries by award-winning artist Katie Russell

Open now until 19 September

Award-winning tapestry artist Katie Russell weaves together naval history, ground-breaking technology and art to explore the largest ever naval conflict, the Battle of Jutland, in her new exhibition Woven Waves: The Jutland Tapestries which is now open at the Scottish Maritime Museum on Castle Street, Dumbarton.

Through Woven Waves: The Jutland Tapestries, Katie reflects on what was, arguably, the world’s largest naval battle in which over 250 ships and 100,000 men clashed off the west coast of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula on 31 May 1916.

The exhibition also features extraordinary shipwreck images revealing what became of the warships that vanished during that fateful battle.

The images, which were a key inspiration for Katie, were captured using multibeam echo scanning technology on the seabed during the 2016 Battle of Jutland Centenary nautical archaeology expedition. The expedition was led by nautical archaeologist and historian Dr Innes McCartney of Bournemouth University on collaboration with the Sea War Museum Jutland and Danish marine experts JD contractors A/S.

Announcing the exhibition, Nicola Scott Exhibition and Events Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, says:

“We are thrilled to welcome everyone back to the Scottish Maritime Museum at the Denny Tank, Dumbarton, with Katie Russell’s stirring exhibition, Woven Waves: The Jutland Tapestries.

“Through Woven Waves, Katie combines her passion for the traditional craft of tapestry weaving and her lifelong interest in maritime history.

“The tapestries, which draw on Katie’s extensive research into the Battle of Jutland at the Sea War Museum Jutland and Jutland Memorial Park, were created using traditional and historical craft techniques and natural fibres such as wool, cotton, jut and linen.

“As well as Katie’s tapestries, visitors will also get a rare chance to view fascinating underwater images which have transformed our understanding of what exactly happened to the vessels during that historic conflict.” 

Describing one of her tapestry weavings, Splinters (Tryptic), Katie Russell says:

The title ‘Splinters’ comes from descriptions from sailors – both German and British. There were lots of references to splinters and splintering of the decks and how distorted things were…. Reading their personal accounts was pretty moving (and) I made the decision to weave words and phrases as they were incredible to read. I also liked having the jute crossing over the words and the words being hidden in the weaving.”

Woven Waves: The Jutland Tapestries is included in Museum admission.  

Up to three children go FREE with each Adult Admission.

For more , or to book a visit: www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org

Issued on behalf of the Scottish Maritime Museum by 

Joanna Harrison, Mobile: 07884 187404