Brunel’s SS Great Britain field hospital designs go on display for first time

First ever exhibition by community researcher goes on display at the SS Great Britain

 

The piece explores the history of the Renkioi Hospital – a popup field hospital designed by Brunel during the Crimean War.

 

The first exhibition made by a community researcher is now on permanent display in the SS Great Britain’s Dockyard Museum.

 

The piece, which artist and designer Jacqueline Braithwaite created, was inspired by Renkioi Hospital – a popup field hospital designed by Brunel for use in the Crimean War.

 

Jacqueline’s artwork is the latest in a series of creative responses, which include video content and print pieces produced by researchers as part of the Community Research programme at the SS Great Britain Trust.

 

Participatory research allows community members to explore the Trust’s entire archive collections, with the support of the Heads of Research and Collections and the Trust’s Communities Officer.

 

The Community Research programme encourages open and honest investigation and exploration. It aims to empower people to publish, write, draw and make from original archival material, developing and opening up positive and tangible bonds with new communities and audiences in Bristol.

 

 

Brunel’s Pop-up Hospital

Brunel was commissioned to create the popup hospital by Sir Benjamin Hawes, Permanent Under Secretary at the War Office and Brunel’s brother-in-law.

 

Sir Benjamin Hawes made his request to Brunel after pleas from Florence Nightingale about the inadequate sanitation and hygiene of field hospitals during the Crimean War.

 

In response, Brunel designed a prefabricated, popup field hospital in just six days. The hospital was constructed in England before being shipped out to Crimea and erected in place.

 

Community researcher Jacqueline first learnt about the Renkioi Hospital during a visit to the SS Great Britain’s Being Brunel Museum, which explores the life and legacy of the famous Victorian engineer.

 

Jacqueline’s piece features carefully arranged screenprints of photographs and other archival material. These include portraits of three powerful women who were connected to the Crimean War: Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, and Frances Duberly.

 

The artwork is displayed on a canvas stretched out between two poles, mimicking the stretchers used to transport wounded soldiers. This also means the piece is portable and can be brought directly into community settings.

 

Speaking about her work, Jacqueline said: “When you visit a museum, we often look at things in text, in two dimensions.

 

“I’m very aware of inclusive design, and I wanted to show that you can tell historical stories using different skills. I felt I could tell the story in print using the skill base of being a textile designer to access more people.”

 

Visitors will notice that the portrait of Mary Seacole, a nurse and businesswoman best known for her heroic care of soldiers in the Crimean War, appears twice in the piece.

 

“[Mary] heard about the plight of our men on the front line,” said Jacqueline. “She went to Florence Nightingale not on one occasion, but twice, to ask if she could help the war effort. And on two occasions, she was turned down, hence why she was repeated twice in print.”

 

After her helped was refused, Mary Seacole funded her own journey to Crimea where she built a hotel which served as a place of rest for sick and recovering soldiers.

 

Frances Duberly, who also appears on the piece, was the first recorded female war correspondent. She travelled to the front line with her husband, a British Army Officer, on board the SS Great Britain.

 

Since 2021, the charity has offered people in Bristol who are underrepresented in the heritage sector the opportunity to use the museum archive to generate creative work. The AHRC Exchange project originally funded this initiative, but since 2023 the Trust has maintained this work independently.

 

If you want to view Jacqueline’s new artwork, purchase a ticket to the SS Great Britain at www.ssgreatbritain.org/tickets. Tickets provide entry to the ship, dry dock and two adjacent museums.

 

 

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