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Art for Guernsey is working with photographer Aaron Yeandle to curate the 'African Guernsey Community Photographic Project', an exhibition celebrating the island’s African community.
Mr Yeandle is capturing the portraits of members of Guernsey’s African community, while Art for Guernsey will showcase the photographs in a display celebrating diversity on the island.
Many of the people featured in the project will only have lived here for a few years, but Art for Guernsey says the African community and culture play a large part in island life.
Mr Yeandle says the African Guernsey Photographic Project is intended to be a positive reflection on our ever-changing communities and he's looking for people to take part as subjects.
He hopes it will form a photographic archival record of a moment in our history.
“Photography, as a medium, wields the remarkable power to unite," he said. "It harmoniously weaves the intricate threads of our ever-evolving social fabric. Over the years, I have embarked on a significant photographic journey, delving into the rich tapestry of Guernsey's social history and heritage.
"However, this latest body of work holds a deeply personal resonance. It stands as an artistic testament to the profound importance it bears, not just for me, but for both the Guernsey and African communities. Its essence lies in the imperative to shine a beacon of positive awareness upon the vibrant African community now flourishing within Guernsey's embrace. Furthermore, to appreciate and celebrate the rich cultures and heritages that the individuals bring from their respective African homelands. It is a source of immense pride for me to undertake this compelling photographic project and exhibition, one that brings together Guernsey and the African communities."
David Ummels, Founder of Art for Guernsey, said: “At Art for Guernsey, we are used to applying art in projects that deliver wider societal, educational or community values. Over its rich history, the island has always been a welcoming and open society. The opportunity to do a show to celebrate the increased diversity brought by the recently settled African community, and to wish them a warm welcome, is hugely exciting; we hope it will be an ideal platform to meet the African community, and vice versa.
"As well as showcasing Aaron’s intimate portraits, in our strongroom we will unveil an artwork by Lynette Yiadom-Boakiye, hailed as the ‘new Lucien Freud’ in the UK, in order to have a dialogue with Aaron's body of work and to honour the African community.”
People from all over Africa who are now based in Guernsey are invited to participate in the African Community Project. Anyone interested in participating should contact Aaron Yeandle via email: aaronyeandle@gmail.com.
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