Storm Force exhibition hits Scarborough Museum

Exhibition: Storm Force, Scarborough Art Gallery, Scarborough, until November 28 2010

A storm of activity has engulfed the Scarborough Museum, whose latest exhibition focuses on their exceptional collection of storm paintings and the coastal and fishing heritage of the region.

Storm Force features some of the Museum's best storm watercolours by HB Carter, trawled from the collection by curator Jan Bee Brown with help from members of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. 

Popular since early Victorian times, the dramatic paintings express the concept of man battling against the mighty elements of the sea. They are joined by a newly restored Ernest Roe canvas depicting the infamous storm that hit the coast off Scarborough in October 1880.

Together with two sister paintings of the same event, Roe's work dramatically captures the force of the storm, which was among the worst in Scarborough's history.

A succession of schooners and brigs were beached or smashed against the rocks of the Scarborough coastline during the three-day tempest. The local lifeboat had to make several perilous rescues and coastguards remarkably saved the lives of all the stricken crews.

Some of the fishing crews further out to sea were not so lucky and at least two skippers were lost by the time the storm subsided.

The Victorian paintings that capture these dramas are complemented by works from acclaimed Staithes based artist, Len Tabner, who has produced a series of paintings from his trips to the southern hemisphere.

Painting from life, his storm paintings are produced from first hand experience. "If I want to paint the weather I want it in front of me - I want to feel it," he says.

The investigation of nautical heritage and art is brought up to date with a look at the traditional and essential fisherman’s accessory, the gansey.

These woollen fishermen's pullovers are just as much a part of the local fishing folklore as storms. Each pattern can be linked to the town of origin or the family of the wearer, with many of the patterns and designs handed down through the generations.

Marjorie Fewster's collection of ganseys from Robin Hood’s Bay Museum is joined by a playful assemblage of more than 50 mini masterpieces machine knitted and lovingly embellished by textile artist Dr Annie Shaw after many hours beach combing around Whitby.

For more on the storm of October 1880 visit www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk/aoct1880.php