The exhibition opens today in the Barreau Le Maistre Art Gallery at the Museum. It will include both historical and contemporary art and craft, ranging from a Neolithic pot and 18th century samplers, to a cosplay costume made out of recycled materials.

Some of the exhibits have been plucked from the Jersey Heritage collections and have never been on display, while others have been lent by islanders.

Pictured: Jersey Heritage's Conservator Neil Mahrer with one of the exhibits.

The exhibition was curated and designed by Kaspar Wimberley and his partner, Susanne Kudielka. Kaspar said: “From a knitted Battle of Jersey to an Occupation costume made out of tins, Handmade Jersey explores humanity’s instinct to create.

"We have an appreciation for academic knowledge but a huge amount of knowledge and progress comes through making things. The exhibition is an opportunity for people of all ages, young and old, to celebrate Jersey’s creative talents and also to enjoy taking time out to create something themselves.”

The exhibition also explores the relationship people have with materials, in particular those that are found in Jersey such as shells and harestail, as well as things that can be found and reused.

Kaspar adde: “Recycling is an important theme to the exhibition at a time when we are generally very wasteful. In the past, people kept reusing things, but our relationship with materials has changed over time.”

Pictured: For the first two weeks of the exhibition, visitors will get to work with clay.

Visitors will not only get to admire the exhibition but also to try their hand at various craft activities at the ‘Make Space' station, sponsored by the Association of Jersey Charities and Channel Islands Lottery.

For the first two weeks of the exhibition, there will be an opportunity to work with clay, willow and basketry will then follow for the next two weeks.

As the exhibition continues until 30 December, there will be a rolling programme of crafts available for people to try. 

“The exhibition is intentionally unfinished inthe sense that it will evolve over the months that it is open," Kaspar said. "This is to reflect the fact that one creative idea leads to another. As well as different experts being part of the exhibition, we hope that visitors will start making things that can be displayed."

To celebrate the exhibition opening, a 'Triumphal Arch' has been created out of foliage, provided by John Pallot and Joe Ferreira, and fresh flowers by The Jersey Flower Club and St. Martin’s Flower Club. Installed at the entrance to the Museum courtyard, it will remain in situ for a fortnight. 

Express took a sneak peek...