Art for Guernsey is celebrating summer with street art, through a new exhibition called ‘Diversion’.
The show is in two parts, the first being a contemporary art exhibition at the Art for Guernsey Gallery on Mansell Street, St Peter Port.
The second part of ‘Diversion’ is a summer-long project that will transform Mansell Street into a vibrant street art canvas.
The open exhibition runs from Friday 27 June until Saturday 30 August. There will also be a private view on Thursday 26 June at 18:00.
‘Diversion’ will feature both international and locally based artists.
Renowned British street artists Leo Boyd, Teddy Baden, and Charlie Mcfarley are involved, while the international artists featured include Patrick Bremer, Anthony Burrill, Léo Dieleman, Itsonly Arthur, Kev Largey, Oleg Mikhailov, Laura Nelson, Wilhelmina Peace, Carl Stimpson, and Subvertiser.
The locally based artists involved are Dad Makes Stuff (Ross Le Brun), Jared Fox, Luke Gallie, Tim Gaudion, Adam Gillson, Sammy Giovinazzi, Sian Jones, Matthew Mollett, John Ross Hainey, Nic Roussel, Thomas Rowe, Luke Webb, and Woodie.
In total, there are 12 international artists and 14 local artists participating.
Children attending Art for Guernsey’s Summer Holiday Art Club will also contribute to the Mansell Street project.
Art for Guernsey’s mission with ‘Diversion’ is to use art to bring life and revitalise the Old Quarter of St Peter Port, specifically Mansell Street, which AfG identified as needing it most.
The exhibition aims to inject energy and enthusiasm into the area, creating footfall and bringing the community together, it said.
David Ummels, Chairman and Founder of Art for Guernsey, stated that they chose the Mansell Street location to use art and cultural activities to bring footfall and customers to local businesses for the common good.
“Almost four years ago, we had this amazing opportunity to find a home in the Old Quarter and renovate the Art for Guernsey Gallery. It was considered the ‘wrong’ place to be, and that’s exactly why we came because we felt thatart and cultural activities can bring footfall and bring more customers to all our neighbours for the common good. It has been a long-standing effort for us to rally all the landlords of the derelict part of Mansell Street and ask them to sign off on a project that will transform the narrative of the Old Quarter forever.
“We very much look forward to seeing the public come and witness the result. And we are delighted that, a few weeks from now, the eyesore view that everybody knows will disappear and will be replaced by a street art extravaganza that will be an attraction for visitors and for the community.”
Jock Pettitt, the Curation Director of Art for Guernsey, sees ‘Diversion’ as a “festival of art” that will expand into the street over the summer, providing an amazing opportunity to bring the community together.
“Through pulling together a local response for this project, we’ve learnt so much about the contemporary and street artists on the island and we’ve been blown away by the response we’ve had. As well as the 12 international artists represented, we have 14 local artists involved, and they are all producing work of a really high standard.
“We see this as a festival of art, expanding into the street over the summer, and it’s an amazing opportunity to bring the community together.”