A bold exhibition taking place later this year is set to shine a light on the life and legacy of a Guernsey-born artist and poet whose works travelled around the world – but until relatively recently remained fairly unknown on his home island.
Running from 18 October until 31 December at Guernsey Museum at Candie, ‘Welcome to the Friendly Isle’ will celebrate the craft of David Robilliard, whose career was tragically cut short in 1988 when he contracted HIV during the height of the UK’s AIDS epidemic and died later the same year.
Robilliard, whose works feature in national and international collections including the Tate Modern, had left Guernsey in 1975 to pursue a creative career in London.
His first poetry collection and art exhibition were both published in 1984, cementing his reputation as a distinctive voice exploring themes of art, sexuality, and life.
Despite the strong success of his work, he has come to be known as the ‘Greatest Guernsey artist you’ve never heard of’.
But that label is fading – in part thanks to efforts made to raise awareness of his work by Liberate and 2023 documentary ‘Life is Excellent’ presented by actor Russel Tovey.
Since then, Guernsey Museums & Galleries have acquired eight of his pieces, which will form the heart of this new exhibition. The Greenhouse Gallery, curated by Guernsey Arts, will showcase these works, while the museum foyer will feature a retrospective of his life and career.
Museum Registrar and exhibition curator Mike Lowe said he was “really excited to finally be able to help share David Robilliard’s artwork and poetry with the island through this exhibition”.
“This has very much been a labour of love over the last couple of years. Along the way it’s been amazing how many people have become involved in raising awareness of David on the island and how many people whose lives have been touched by his creativity have reached out and supported this,” he added.
And he said the exhibition had personal significance too.
“As a young artist myself growing up on Guernsey in the 80s and 90s knowing about David and his work, his place in the LGBTQ+ community, the authenticity with which he lived his life and the resulting creative success he was able to achieve, would have been an inspiration,” Mr Lowe said.
“I hope that raising awareness of David’s work and life now can feel relevant to and inspire both the local LGBTQ+ community and young artists alike. I also hope that his honest and unapologetic reflections on love and emotions will appeal to everyone.”
“It is a privilege to be hosting David`s work in the Greenhouse gallery, and we applaud Guernsey Museums’ commitment in recognising David and acquiring these pieces, for the people of Guernsey”
Head of Arts Development at Guernsey Arts, Russ Fossey, added that it was a “privilege to be hosting David`s work in the Greenhouse gallery”, and applauded Guernsey Museums’ “commitment in recognising David and acquiring these pieces, for the people of Guernsey”.
LISTEN…
The life of David Robilliard was previously the subject of a two-part feature Bailiwick Podcasts episode released to coincide with CI Pride, which you can listen to via the links below or wherever you get your podcasts…