What's On - Scottish craft events

On 12th May 1951, two Shetlanders were cutting peat near Gunnister, Shetland, when they came across the remains of a buried body. While the acidic conditions in the peat had ensured there was little left of the man other than some hair, fingernails and bone fragments, it had kept his clothes and other items well-preserved. The identity of the man, the nature of his death, and how he came to be buried in a peat bog are still under debate today.

As part of a collaborative project between Shetland Arts and Shetland Amenity Trust, a new focus display following the design process of ten local craft makers exploring the Gunnister mystery through contemporary crafts will be shown in the Museum and Archives.
 
With Textile designer and artist Deirdre Nelson, local craftmakers (Suzanne Shearer, Emma Blain, Andrea Williamson, Clair Henry, Anne Eunson, Hilary Seatter, Jennifer Tait, Donna Smith, Cecil Tait and Shona Miller) have studied the Gunnister mystery over the past few months, with a particular focus on how his identity could be expressed through his clothing and personal possessions.

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Deirdre Nelson, Hazel Hughson and some of the craft makers involved will give a talk on their experience during the project at the Museum and Archives on Friday 2nd October, at 7.30pm. This event is free and no booking is required.

The museum and Archives will also host a variety of other craft events and talks inspired by the Gunnister Man, for both adults and children. Full details can be found on the Shetland Museums and Archives website.

The focus display will complement ‘Gunnister Man: A Life Reconstructed’ Exhibition (on until 1st November).