Little people flying the flag for Jersey folklore

Friday 10 July 2015

Thousands of "little people" took over Jersey's archaeological site a few months ago and now there’s some heading off around the world.

‘Les P’tits Faîtchieaux’, as they are known in Jersey French, are the work of a team of artists and members of the public who have created them out of local clay for a big exhibition at La Hougue Bie.

But the organisers of the Skipton Art Series Project were keen to “spread a little Les Faîtcheaux good will around the world!’ They encouraged athletes and their supporters at the NatWest Island Games to have a go at making one to add to the evolving exhibition in the Dolmen at La Hougue Bie or to take back home with them as a souvenir.

According to folklore, Les Faîtchieaux were believed to live in the local dolmens where they were generally active and helpful, doing housework in exchange for cake, but were also known for mischievously hiding belongings.

The idea behind the Skipton Art Series project was to get as many people involved as possible to help create an exhibition like Antony Gormley’s ‘Field for the British Isles’ and the organisers will also be exhibiting a world map later this year to show where some of the figures have got to on their travels.

Skipton Art Series Project Manager Sasha Gibb said: “We have an artist in New Zealand making figures to send back to Jersey and Les Faîtcheaux in Nepal, Italy and California, as well as the other Channel Islands. In the spirit of Jersey’s trade routes, it’s fantastic to document the reach of such a popular Jersey Public Art initiative and great to be involved with the Island Games.”

Local artists will be back at La Hougue Bie during the summer holidays to help visitors add more to the collection.