1 October 2007

Hirta portfolio added to Scottish Parliament Art Collection

An edition of Hirta Portfolio commemorating the culture and evacuation of St Kilda, produced by University of Dundee staff, has been acquired for addition to the collections of the Scottish Parliament.

This unique product of a creative collaboration between writer Bill Duncan and printmaker Susan Wilson was presented to the Scottish Parliament.

Bill Duncan is a graduate of the University while Susan Wilson works in the library of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. The folders for the portfolio were created by Emma Fraser from the Book and Conservation unit of the University.

A sketch by Enric Miralles, architect of the Scottish Parliament building, on display at the parliament is based on a photo of the 1927 St Kilda parliament.

The folio is based on a suite of five poems written by Bill Duncan. After working on a National Trust for Scotland archaeological dig on St Kilda he felt impelled to tell the story of St Kilda.

The etchings made by Susan Wilson, as illustrations to the five poems, reflect both the content of the poems and the strong affinity she felt for the writing, and contain both personal response and historical detail. Word and image flow together in a seamless whole, which forms a poignant tribute to the islanders and their way of life.

The Hirta Portfolio is produced in a limited edition of thirty-six, one for each of the islanders evacuated from St Kilda on 29th August 1930. The back lining of the portfolio is printed with their names and, unusually, this edition is not being sold consecutively; buyers may choose a particular name and house if they so wish.

The portfolio is currently being exhibited at the Hannah Maclure Centre, University of Abertay until 17th October.

For media enquiries contact:
Anna Day
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk