Art event marks 80th anniversary of Liberation Day

Celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of Guernsey's Liberation Day will include an artist-led exhibition.

Exile and Return was developed when artist Rosanne Guille and the Reverend Dr Adrian Datta, of St Pierre du Bois Church, met while swimming at Fort Grey.

Held at the parish church of St Pierre du Bois and the Rectory Fellowship rooms, it will be open for six weeks from 7 May with a preview on 6 May.

Dr Datta gave the exhibition its title, saying it echoes and reflects the many narratives he had heard in relation to those who stayed and those who left the island during the days of Nazi occupation.

Dr Datta said: "The 80th Liberation Day celebration is hugely significant in the life of the Bailiwick.

"Sadly, but inevitably, there are fewer and fewer people around who lived through the occupation years. It is important that their experiences are honoured, remembered and marked in a very special and clear way.

"The Occupation Arts Collective is doing this through the medium of the visual arts. It will leave a permanent legacy of this occasion."

There were 12 artists involved in the exhibition. They are Jenny Aitken, Pierre Datta, Sally Ede-Golightly, Annabel Ede-Golightly, Deborah Grice, Rosanne Guille, Keith Langlois, Olympia McEwan, Fiona Richmond, Adam Stephens, Lou Stephens and Aaron Yeandle.

Ms Guille said: "In telling the story of the occupation, the artists involved have created an impressive body of work.

"We have asked them to tap into their family histories, recollections and experiences, along with an exploration of local archives."

Guernsey Arts sponsored the exhibition and said: "The Occupation Arts Collective have put together a sensitive and high-quality project examining the years of hardship and sacrifice leading up to this anniversary."

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