Inspirational Journeys focuses on Barns-Graham’s travels in Europe over a 50-year period, including her important  trips to Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Lanzarote and the time she spent in Orkney in 1984 and 85. The exhibition reveals how these journeys provided a significant impact on her wider practice and how these experiences led to new perspectives, themes and stylistic changes in her work - from remarkable on-the-spot pencil drawings to bold and colourful abstract paintings.

The exhibition highlights the importance of travel in broadening the mind both from a creative perspective and in the possibilities arising from cultural exchange.

A fully illustrated catalogue, available in the Pier Arts Centre shop, accompanies the exhibition with a new essay focusing particularly on Barns-Graham’s travels early in her career, by independent curator Dr Rachel Rose Smith.

A Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust touring exhibition curated by the Trust’s Director Rob Airey from its extensive collection and archive of the artist’s work.

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham sketching outside in Orkney 1984 or 85 (photograph Rowan James)