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Recent releases
The Covid-19 pandemic which arrived in the UK in 2020 has been repeatedly described as “unprecedented”, but Dumfries has experienced similar events in the past. This exhibition explores, both factually and imaginatively, what remains of previous pandemics in the region’s written records, and in its civic and sacred spaces. Just how did Dumfries and Galloway respond to the pandemics of the past?
The most notable are those from modern history: cholera in 1832 and 1848, and influenza in 1918 and 1919, but there have been visitations of plague in the town since medieval times. These pandemics are now all but gone from mind and public discourse. In creating this exhibition artist and poet JoAnne McKay has studied ancient oak trees in her local landscape that have existed for hundreds of years while pandemics arrived then died away. The relative permanence of these trees is a recurring theme throughout the exhibition which also features artwork and beautiful papers handmade from local plants gathered during the 2020 lockdown alongside objects that represent the present day response to a pandemic.
Councillor Andy Ferguson, chair of the Communities committee, said: “This new exhibition at Dumfries Museum gives us an opportunity to reflect on how our community was affected by and responded to, pandemics throughout history. Although many people have suffered during this pandemic it is important to see how fortunate we are to have modern science and medical care as our arms in the battle against Covid-19.”
Councillor John Martin, vice chair, said: “JoAnne McKay has carried out a great deal of research into past pandemics and the material she has featured in this exhibition, alongside her artistic work and poems inspired by the pandemic, is fascinating. Looking at events in the past gives us context for our current situation.”
The exhibition at Dumfries Museum is open 10am to1pm and 1.30pm to4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, until 28 September 2021.
You can book your free visit to see the exhibition and the museum’s local history galleries by visiting www.dgculture.co.uk or at the door of the museum during opening hours.
