A local illustrator and designer has been selected to make a special public artwork to celebrate the Société Jersiaise’s 150th anniversary after an open call out run by ArtHouse Jersey.
Having received a number of applications from professional artists with connections to Jersey, the Société and ArtHouse Jersey have chosen a design by Lauren Radley which is inspired by the iconic blue and white tiles from Delft in the Netherlands.
Lauren’s design will consist of 150 individually illustrated tiles each bearing illustrations representing local history and referencing the Société’s work over the last century-and-a-half. The tiles will also feature text in Jèrriais to signify the linguistic heritage of the island.
Speaking in her application about her design, Lauren said: “Much of my work is based around celebrating Jersey; its cultural landmarks, beautiful landscapes and all the quirks and delights that make up our Island, and as the brief for this project was to celebrate the work that the Société Jersiaise has done in ‘studying and researching Jersey’s history, culture, language and environment’, I felt very inspired with what I could potentially produce and it really resonated with me and with the kind of artwork I love to create!”
Commenting on the impact she hopes this piece has on passers-by, Lauren said: “With 150 tiles, there will clearly be a lot of detail, and a lot to look at and take in, which I believe is something people will stop to enjoy, to look at closely, and to search for different things within the piece, and to hopefully find something new each time they do so (and, of course, to learn something new about Jersey and the Société Jersiaise!).”
Having produced a set of illustrated stamps for Jersey Post and taken part in both the Go Wild Gorilla and Tortoise Takeover sculpture trails for Durrell, Lauren is no stranger to producing high-profile local artworks.
Subject to planning permission, the artwork will be installed on the exterior wall of the Société on Pier Road. The work will then be officially unveiled to the public as part of the organisation’s 2023 year-long anniversary celebrations.
The Chief Executive of Société Jersiaise, Rebecca J. Bailhache, said: “We were absolutely blown away with the quality and thoughtfulness of all the artists’ applications and, whilst it was a tough decision, we are thrilled that Lauren has been selected for this commission. With a simple, but impactful concept in essence, Lauren’s design speaks to the core values at the heart of the Société and will be the perfect way to mark our significant anniversary this year.”
Director of ArtHouse Jersey, Tom Dingle, said: “We were delighted to support the Société in engaging an artist to help celebrate 150 years at the heart of Island life. As ever, we were deeply impressed by the high quality of submissions from artists coming forward. We take great pleasure and pride in helping organisations connect the dots between artistic talent and the creation of public artworks. Congratulations to chosen artist Lauren Radley, whose elegant and historically poignant designs will no doubt be a welcome and cheerful addition to everyone who passes through Pier Road.”
