Yellow Butterflies : The colourful character, costume and culture of Scotland’s Fishwives
This exhibition examines the roles of the fishwife in the Scottish fishing industry, exploring how these women and their labour was regarded, represented, censured and celebrated!
About Yellow Butterflies : The colourful character, costume and culture of Scotland’s Fishwives
Although fishing is commonly thought of as being dominated by men, women contributed directly to the industry through their work in preparing the gear, processing the catch, and then selling the fish. It was this latter activity that brought the fisherwomen into closest contact with wider society, and in this role that they were known as “Fishwives”.
While women working in the herring industry were generally employed, fishwives worked for themselves, selling the fish caught by their family members or bought directly from the fishermen. They would work all year round, their wares varying with the seasons from shellfish to white fish to oily fish, ungutted or filleted, fresh, salted or smoked.
Being independent and distinctive saleswomen, fishwives gathered a reputation – both positive and negative – in the eyes of the public. They were admired for their colourful clothing, strength of character and healthy looks, while often being scorned for their harsh tongues and loud voices: “to scold like a fishwife” was a well-used phrase.
This exhibition examines the roles of the fishwife in the Scottish fishing industry, exploring how these women and their labour was regarded, represented, censured and celebrated, both by others and by the women themselves.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Fife, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Fife? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at The Scottish Fisheries Museum
The Herring Year : Following the Fish, the Fleet and the Folk around the Coast
Every year the shoals of herring moved around the coasts of Britain and every year an army of workers followed them. This exhibition, by local artist Jake Brown, illustrates the routes they took.
READ MORE
Gu’un the fish n’ that
Gu’un the fish n’ that is an immersive sound installation by East Anglian based artist Beverley Carruthers, celebrating the migrant worker and their importance to the fishing industry.
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Find other events in Fife
Sponsored Links