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Jersey is now officially 'home' to one of Europe's largest murals - a 600sqm depiction of a 'children's party' with a very special meaning.
Entitled ‘Home’, the mural at Normans celebrates the modern and multicultural place that is Jersey and was officially unveiled on Tuesday 14 June in the presence of Sir and Lady Dalton.
Using the space as a giant canvas, the work is inspired by ArtHouse Jersey's ‘Home’ residency which explored the Polish, Portuguese and Romanian communities' experience of moving to and living here in Jersey.
Pictured: The mural being worked on. (Max Burnett for ArtHouse)
The mural has been produced in a creative partnership between ArtHouse Jersey and UK-based street art organisation, Wood Street Walls, who aim to make art accessible through the creation and installation of outdoor public art across the world.
The artist behind the mural design is Gabriel Pitcher, who ArtHouse Jersey selected following a callout to international street artists.
Pitcher’s art explores the relationship between art and social narratives. Through expressive figurative portraits, he adapts concepts as original works, murals, short films and interventions to create multi-layered commentaries on social constructs and human sensibilities.
Pictured: The mural contemplates of a selection of Jersey’s immigrant communities' contribution to Island life. (Max Burnett for ArtHouse)
Pitcher and Wood Street Walls were also offered the support of local artists Ben Robertson, James Carter, Kirsty Garcia and Olivia Garcia who contributed their talents to its production.
The final mural depicts an image of a celebration. This is supposed to signify a celebration of the attitude of a resilient demographic who are hard-working and investing in a brighter future whilst remaining optimistic.
The joyful celebration of seven people of Madeiran, Polish and Romanian heritage around a table depicts a less than ideal and slightly claustrophobic atmosphere and surroundings. The image aims to give insight into the sacrifices so many people choose to make in order to make Jersey their home.
With objects on the table such as sweets, and regional delicacies, including a birthday cake with seven candles, it can be interpreted as either a celebration of a year closer to being ‘fully qualified’ (meaning the housing market is one year closer), or a reflection of the experience of the many people who left their children in their home countries to be raised by relatives, leaving the audience to decide.
Pictured: Artist Gabriel Pitcher alongside his creation. (Max Burnett for ArtHouse)
Artist Gabriel Pitcher said: “One of the core learnings which remained with me was the idea that some accommodation tied to jobs in the unqualified years had stipulations like no children or no pets. It really stuck because it meant for many people a consideration of accepting a job, was whether or not to start a family, or even live a separated life from their children for up to a decade. The image of a kid’s birthday party but having no children present really stuck with me as a powerful image many have to face.
“Although the wall is large, I have tried to make the space they are in feel claustrophobic, a reflection of the serviced rooms and bedsits people live in, but also a comment on the fact that Jersey is a small island. Space is limited and the freedom to live in a comfortable space is quickly vanishing for all, as the housing market becomes out of reach for many.
“I have enjoyed visiting Jersey over the last six months, meeting both some amazing people on the Island, collaborating and listening to the stories of the output of Cliff, Dana and Natalia (‘Home’ residency artists), as well as visiting the home where my father spent his early years with my grandparents after the war.”
Director of ArtHouse Jersey, Tom Dingle said: “Pieces of art in the public realm, like this mural, play an important role in strengthening a sense of place and belonging.
"‘Home’ reaches under the surface of the assumptions that might be made about people's experiences who have moved to Jersey from abroad and does so with transparency and honesty. "
“Although immediately pleasing to the eye, it isn’t afraid to highlight what might be lacking in what the island has to offer immigrants, and the sacrifices people are willing to make to call Jersey ‘Home’."
Pictured: The mural depicts a celebration, which can be interpreted in many ways by the viewer. (Max Burnett for ArtHouse)
He continued: “We’re delighted that this work now resides in one of the most prominent thoroughfares in the island - at Normans - and that it will be in place to spark discussion for 18 months.
"Our sincere thanks go to Gabriel Pitcher for so elegantly and skilfully telling this story and creating this incredible piece of work.”
Pictured: The front of Normans was transformed by the artists over a two-week period in June. (Max Burnett for ArtHouse Jersey)
Operations Director of Normans, Tim Darwin added: “We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to provide the canvas for this wonderful project and to have worked closely with all of these talented artists.
“Normans has been a part of Jersey life since 1840, and we are proud to be associated with an initiative that celebrates the huge contribution that all of Jersey’s immigrant communities' have contributed to the island.”
600m² immigration celebration to transform Normans
Polish, Portuguese and Romanian art to celebrate Jersey's multiculturalism
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