Artists time to shine at the Castle

Wednesday 01 July 2015

They've been locked in Elizabeth Castle for over a week and tonight you can see what a group of artists from all over the world have been busy creating while cut-off from the rest of the world.

The 20 artists represent most of the Islands competing this week in the NatWest Island Games and have been working on a project that aims to mirror the cooperative ethos of the Games – bringing people of different cultures, languages and backgrounds together.

Visual artist and sculptor Emma Reid, theatre maker Joanna Johnson and musician and composer Eddy Bailhache have been flying the flag for the home team and exploring the theme of 'Islandness'.

The Project Manager Alice Bravery said: “During the week the artists have been guided through many tasks by the Lock-In’s artistic facilitators, Sue Hill and Francesca Duncan, including creating their own temporary 'islands' of the sand, an island of light, an island of balance, an island of memory and an island of noise.

“Amongst other collaborative group work, the locked-in artists have created a visual map of the sounds that they could hear from Elizabeth Castle’s breakwater. All of the smaller tasks that they’ve been experimenting with throughout the week will contribute towards the final showcased work.

"The artists will be taking what they have learnt and experienced throughout the past week – including local folklore and myths, and themes relating to ‘islandness’ such as isolation, resourcefulness, return and exile – and incorporating it into their final pieces.

The Jersey Arts Trust residency project has been run in association with Jersey Heritage and WildWorks – the renowned international theatre company and Alice said the finished work won't just be visual pieces, but performances and storytelling too. But the show is not for everyone, it's aimed at visitors aged over 16 as there's some nudity involved.

This afternoon the artists are running a special showcase for schools, where 30 secondary school students will be get the opportunity to see the work created and have a discussion session about the Lock-In.

Jersey Arts Trust Director Tom Dingle said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic to connect with these Islands from all over the world and learn more about their artists and art scene."

The Chairman of the NatWest Island Games XVI Organising Committee Phil Austin said: “This event captures the essence of the Games by bringing artists from all the competing islands together in a spirit of co-operation. I am looking forward to seeing the results of their labours which I am sure will be truly inspiring.”

You can see all the work that’s been created here.