Sunken Gardens is picture perfect

The exhibition was organised by the Guernsey Photography Festival in partnership with Guernsey Museums and Healthspan Ltd.

It is the first of two planned displays for the location and will feature pieces by Finnish photographer Petri Juntunen.

Guernsey Photography Festival artistic director Jean-Christophe Godet said it was a beautiful, intriguing and poetic exhibition.

‘When I first saw Petri’s work I thought straight away it would fit well with Guernsey,’ said Mr Godet.

‘I’ve been here over 10 years now and everybody is very much in touch with the environment.’

Mr Godet said the outdoor exhibition was all about engaging with the audience and getting across that art should be open to everyone.

Mr Juntunen said it was fantastic to have the exhibition outdoors and that it was extremely important that the public would be able to access art in this way.

‘It’s special to have this kind of opportunity to see your work in a different environment and good for people to be able to see it,’ said Mr Juntunen.

He said the pieces focused on mortality but that they were not morbid.

‘We don’t face [mortality] in everyday life, we block it out. We have this culture of hospitalisation, hiding sickness from view, but mortality lurks behind a shadow.

‘Many people talk about life having an afterlife.

‘We need to find some continuity in the universe and it is good to deal with this topic – it’s not morbid, it’s reality,’ he said.

Mr Juntunen said with the display being in the Sunken Gardens, people can sit and have their lunches while looking at the pieces and let their mind run.

The exhibition is part of the photography festival’s vision to get art out into public places and Mr Godet said he was delighted that this new programme of outdoor exhibitions was finally taking shape.

He said he had always seen the Sunken Gardens as an ideal location for art displays that passers-by would be able to explore at leisure.

‘I am very grateful to the Guernsey Museums and Healthspan Ltd for their generous financial support that allows us to bring such incredible talents on the island,’ he said.

Healthspan Ltd brand creative director Aaron Smillie said the firm was proud to be supporting the local art community.

‘The Channel Islands’ way of life has long influenced Healthspan and sponsoring local events like the Guernsey Photography Festival is its way of giving back to Guernsey.

‘We’re certain that the people of Guernsey will appreciate Petri’s stunning and infinitely profound photography,’ he said.

Guernsey Museums head of Heritage Services Jason Monaghan said it was keen to support cultural initiatives and partnerships that extend beyond the walls of the museum.

‘We are delighted to provide financial support to the Guernsey Photography Festival for this new series of spectacular and thought-provoking series of outdoor exhibitions,’ said Dr Monaghan.

• The Guernsey Photography Festival holds a festival event every other year as well as educational programmes, talks and conferences for the local community throughout the year.