DEEP WATERS

16th Mar – 13th Apr 2025

THE GREAT FLOOD OF PERTH 1993

About Artist and Work

Scottish artist Franciszka Doris is currently studying on the HND Contemporary Art Practices course at the University of the Highlands and Islands Perth. She primarily works with painting using oils and acrylic; however, she has recently been exploring different media such as sculpture, projection and mixed media. Much of Franciszka’s recent work is examining Naïve art in an attempt to reconnect to her own childhood.

‘Deep Waters’ is about ‘remembering’ the effects of the Great Flood of Perth 1993, to both her own family and others.

In reflecting back, we can look to improve the future, and this is particularly imminent with the effects of climate change on our own communities and communities across the world..

The Flood of 1993 covered an area of 4000 sq miles, within the County and Region of Perthshire and Kinross. The Mighty River Tay, broke its banks after heavy snowfall, early thaw, and torrential rain, the combination of which caused such devastation and destruction on a level not witnessed in 200 years.

The height of the water at its worst, recorded a reading of 6.48 mt, the second highest reading since 1814. In 1847 reading was 6.03 mt. Flooding on this scale affected 1000s of people and households, farmland, livelihoods, and animal livestock. In the North Muirton housing estate alone, 800, over 1000 people, and families were evacuated from their homes, with up to 5′ of water, causing devastation and destruction, 6-8 months in temporary accommodation around the city.

All of the homes had to be dried out, and the plaster and flooring all had to be stripped back to brick, total refurb and rewiring throughout. Road and rail routes were cut off, unpassable in many of the rural areas, for up to 3 months in remote areas. Roads were washed away, rail lines were strewn with debris, and fallen trees. Thanks to the farming communities, using their own tractors, and ploughs supplied by the Council, prior to the flood, snow was cleared from high ground and the outlying areas.

The Great Flood of 1993 is currently being exhibited at Perth Museum in King Edward Street, Perth. The exhibition: “Waters Rising”, was brought to my attention, when Perth Museum held an open day and invited Perth UHI CAP2 students to view the exhibition prior to the opening to the public. It was here, that the horrors of that flood in 1993 brought back memories of the flood and how it affected my Mum who was made homeless for up to 8 months. This exhibition in the Phonebox is from the project “Discovering Perth” which is the class assignment from my HND2 course. The chosen subject is from a photo found during my research, ‘Male frantically calling for help, up to his chest in flood water’. The photo is just so poignant and ironic, that there are no words that can emphasize the immensity or urgency more clearly.

Courier Article detailing how Franciszka had to rescue her own mother from the 1993 floods in Perth: Link

To find out more about the Perth Museum exhibition follow this link.

Exhibition