Guernsey Press

Exhibition of work inspired by Hugo is open for longer

AN EXHIBITION of contemporary art inspired by the work of Victor Hugo has been extended to this Saturday after a greater-than-anticipated public response.

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The Art for Guernsey gallery on Mansell Street was due to take down dozens of artworks by Oleg Mikhailov and Daniel Hosego last Friday, but now they will remain in place, offering art lovers, Hugo fans and the curious the opportunity to visit until Saturday between 10am and 5pm.

‘The footfall’s been amazing,’ said director Jock Pettitt.

‘And it’s increased still further with Oleg visiting this week with six new artworks.’

Mr Mikhailov has provided workshops for schoolchildren over the last few days, with 110 visiting from Blanchelande alone on one day.

‘Opening for an extra week will give the public one last chance to see the exhibition but, selfishly, another reason is that it’s difficult to say goodbye to these artworks,’ Mr Pettitt said.

‘It’s easy to say ‘”let’s keep it open one more week”.’

A major factor in the decision to extend the exhibition – called A Renaissance of Victor Hugo – was the autonomy afforded by the fact that Art for Guernsey now operates out of its own space.

‘We have the flexibility to do it,’ Mr Pettitt said.

‘In the past, we’ve been exhibiting in pop-up venues, where we have a fixed time frame. Now, it’s our own doors we’re opening.’

Both artists’ works take inspiration from the French literary giant, who spent 15 years in exile in Guernsey between 1855 and 1870.

Many of the artworks depict scenes from – or themes within – his 1866 novel set in Guernsey, Les Travailleurs de la Mer, often using the symbols and metaphors of the Renaissance period so beloved of Hugo.

The extension of the current Collas Crill -sponsored show until 27 May means there will be a five-day turnaround before the next exhibition, which will feature work by Russian post-impressionist Dimitri Permiakov.

He has exhibited in Guernsey previously, with his work being shown in Market Place in September 2018. He is known for working ‘en plein air’, producing oils on canvas with an urgent rapidity in order to capture a certain light.

Mr Pettitt said Art for Guernsey had a number of exhibitions in the pipeline, with an 18-month plan having become ‘fairly set’.

. The majority of the display space is on the ground floor, with a ramp enabling wheelchair access. Admission is free.