A rarely seen treasure trove of surrealist works by ground-breaking, gender non-conforming resistance fighter Claude Cahun are due to be unveiled to the public.
Normally held under lock and key, a series of provocative photographs, drawings, and archival material will be on display at Jersey Archive in April as part of Jersey Heritage’s monthly ‘Meet the Collections’ series.
Born Lucy Schwob, Cahun was a French surrealist photographer, writer and sculptor whose work explored gender identity and the subconscious mind in the early to mid-twentieth century.
Cahun moved to Jersey before the outbreak of World War Two in 1937, alongside fellow artist and partner Marcel Moore (originally Suzanne Malherbe), whose work will also be displayed.
When Jersey became occupied, the pair formed an active resistance group against alongside fellow artists.
Ordinarily, the original artefacts are kept away from public viewing, which is in line with specialist conservation advice to ensure long-term preservation, according to Jersey Heritage.
A small selection of works is on display in ‘La Tèrr’rie d’Jèrri’ exhibition at Jersey Museum, but these are rotated every six months to keep time exposure to a minimum.
Jersey Heritage is therefore encouraging islanders to make the most of the rare opportunity to see the material up close for free on 5 April at Jersey Archive.
Helena Kergozou, Jersey Heritage’s Senior Registrar, said: “One of the highlights for 2025 is certain to be the Claude Cahun collection and a rare opportunity to view some very special original material, including photographs, drawings and archive material.”
The charity’s ‘Meet the Collections’ events take place every month and showcase historical artefacts not currently on public display, ranging from ranging from Occupation-related items, to archaeology, textiles and even children’s toys.
Ms Kergozou continued: “We have hundreds of thousands of fascinating pieces in our collections and we are always trying to find more ways for people to enjoy them and to understand the work we do to care and protect them.”
“As well as sharing a host of objects during the events themselves, we’ll also be opening both of our conservation labs, as well as offering behind-the-scenes tours at both the museum collections store at Sir Francis Cook Gallery and the strongrooms at Jersey Archive.”
The monthly ‘Meet the Collections’ events are free and start on Saturday, 1 March. See our full guide below for details.
GUIDE…
New Accessions (1 March, Jersey Archive – 9:30am–1pm)
Discover hundreds of newly acquired items and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our conservation lab.
Claude Cahun (5 April, Jersey Archive – 9:30am–1pm)
Experience rare access to the preserved works of Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore, typically kept out of public view.
Occupation (17 May, Jersey Archive – 9am–4pm)
Explore a diverse range of Occupation-era artefacts during this extended, all-day event celebrating Liberation 80.
Textiles (14 June, Jersey Archive – 9:30am–1pm)
Delve into over 5,000 textiles – from wedding dresses to army uniforms – and get a behind-the-scenes peek into our textiles store.
Archaeology (26 July, Sir Francis Cook Gallery – 9:30am–1pm)
Uncover archaeological treasures and recent finds, with our conservation lab open for a unique tour as part of the CBA Festival of Archaeology.
Tourism (6 September, Sir Francis Cook Gallery – 9:30am–1pm)
Revisit Jersey’s tourism boom with a nostalgic collection of memorabilia from the island’s hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Wildlife and Animals (11 October, Sir Francis Cook Gallery – 9:30am–1pm)
Discover natural history specimens, artworks featuring wildlife, and pieces from the Gerald Durrell archive.
Photography (1 November, Sir Francis Cook Gallery – 9:30am–1pm)
Explore the evolution of photography with historic cameras on display and live demonstrations by expert conservators.
Toys and Games (13 December, Sir Francis Cook Gallery – 9:30am–1pm)
Relive the past with a playful selection of toys and games spanning from the Victorian era to the present day.