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From mysterious spiky potatoes to yarn bombs... a local creative is calling for islanders to fill Jersey with random acts of street art.
The idea is just one of five ways a local Fine Arts graduate Heather Brown says she would fine tune the island if she had the chance.
She's part of the RampArts collective which is open to local artists, musicians and writers interested in sharing their creativity and talents.
Her latest project is a collective interactive textile exhibition bringing together Highlands students and textile artists. Open between 8 February and 29 February at Fort Regent, the exhibition will focus on "the exploration of texture, scale and movement".
As she puts the finishing touches to the exhibition, Heather took some time to get creative about some ideas for the island...
There is a need for free artist networking and collaborative opportunities that reach out to everyone on a creative level. As a young or up and coming artist in Jersey, it can often be difficult to know who to turn to with creative questions, you might have an idea but are unsure of the direction to take it.
Pictured: Examples of work from RampArts members.
This is why I am very proud to be part of RampArts. We are a support network boosting confidence and promoting unique and gifted talents in Jersey, working on projects to showcase our skills together.
Many moons ago I was lucky enough to suceed with my proposal through the Jersery Arts Coucil, and secured myself a space at Westmount Studios. I worked alongside a variety of local creatives, from jewellery makers to carpenters, sculptors and painters, we collaborated on shows and supported each other. I felt part of a creative group outside of educational guidance, it was a fully independent venture.
Westmount Studios were a temporary set up, long since demolished and forgotten, but in its time it provided a place of creativity, 24 hour access to a space that was yours to immerse yourself in!
Pictured: The old Westmount Studios site before demolition.
There is a hunger among local artists to find shared creative spaces, not from a hot desk, away from a laptop, somewhere with a sink and high walls, big enough to contain the boldest and dirtiest of artistic ideas!
These spaces must exist, maybe its an outhouse no longer used day to day, perhaps it’s a dusty old office block, begging for a new lease of life! I wish there was a way, to connect these needs and available spaces together?
Leaving Westmount for London, I experienced other collectives. DA! were a movement of artists inhabiting old corporate buildings in the city, turning huge office spaces into interactive installations, performace art, music, amazement, it was all there and if you were lucky enough to get hold of the secret code you could experience it too!
It presented a brief window into the magic of art and creative spaces, something I wish Jersey had more of.
I miss Camden market stalls, splitting at the sides with old school Adidas jackets and corduroy everything! I even managed to find a retro sneaks shop in Ranong once! But in Jersey I get my kicks from charity shops on lunch breaks and hitting Acorn and Hospice on the weekends.
Pictured: The Rokit Store in Brick Lane.
Don’t get me wrong, I love nothing more than the thrill of the rummage, but imagine having a Rokit on your doorstep, or a Beyond Retro on the high street! I decided a few years ago to minimise the clothing I buy new off the hanger, instead hording items and creating new outfits with chazza gold.
I love the concept of clothing having a life cycle, and I charity shop off island whenever I can. Giving new life to someone’s hand me downs is a passion, I just wish we had a few specialist establishments to feed our vintage needs!
I don’t like to consider myself a consumerist, but some things simply must be bought!
As a fine artist, I enjoy dabbling with a variety of media. I follow wherever my exploration takes me only to be hit with a common hurdle, I can’t find the materials I need in Jersey.
Pictured: "The big dream is specialist and wide ranged art supplies under one roof right here on the island!" Heather says.
All too often I resort to online purchasing, having exhausted local efforts. Not only does this slow down the creative process, it highlights a market gap.
Resin, cyanotype, stencils, even permanent ink pads are impossible to get hold of without logging in and paying out.
Hail to the Hobby Craft, calling for Cass Art, the big dream is specialist and wide ranged art supplies under one roof right here on the island!
Jersey has come a long way in accommodating our local street artists, with spectacular murals trailed throughout St.Helier, uplifting our urban environments and demanding attention! But what about the small stuff?
Pictured: The mysterious bus stop potato street art spotted around Dalston.
Over several years, I have built up a rather unusual collection of found objects and images, mostly from the streets of Jersey, London and Bournemouth. I have trained my gaze to seek out the undetected. Streets can often offer the most unsuspecting forms of art, if you look hard enough.
From the upper deck of a bus in Dalston, you may find yourself staring down at a colourful potato stuffed with cocktail sticks, these spud nick creations first started appearing on the tops of bus stops in 2007, then dropped off grid until their comeback last year! Locally you might have noticed the everchanging teddy tree in St. John?! A cute example of dedication to detail!
Pictured: Miniature yarn bombing spotted in Arizona.
I’m in love with finding un-commissioned random acts of street art, hidden away and carefully placed with its only intention, to bring a secret smile to your face.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not the Bailiwick Express.
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