Barbara Hepworth Orpheus (Maquette I) 1956 © Bowness

One of the most distinguished and perfect of the smaller selections of twentieth century art on permanent display anywhere in the world.

Patrick Heron, 1978

The gift of 67 works of art by Margaret Gardiner (1904-2005) to the 'people of Orkney' in 1979 laid the foundation for the Pier Arts Centre as we know it today. Over more than 45 years the collection has grown slowly but steadily through gifts, bequests and acquisitions and now numbers 239 works. Magic on the Border of Things explores myriad ways the Collection has developed through a sequence of specially curated rooms that highlight collecting themes and variations.