An 'Invisible Occupation'

Wednesday 26 August 2020

Only a few months ago, life in Guernsey was very different to how it is today and, although it's hoped lockdown is now behind us, a local exhibition will ensure the unprecedented time of social distancing and community spirit will go down in island history.

While restrictions were at their height, Health Connections set people across the island the challenge of recording and documenting their experiences.

This could be done using any medium of their choice, whether that be through words; artwork; photos; collages; cuttings from magazines etc.

Pictured: Participants used different mediums to represent their experiences.

The project - entitled 'The Invisible Occupation' - received a lot of support from organisations, including the Guernsey Arts Commission; the Guernsey Literary Festival; Guernsey Museums and the Guille-Alles Library, all of which were interested in encapsulating the historical and social importance of what the community went through.

"We are hoping this collection will serve as an important reminder of the need for compassionate communities which support people who ordinarily live in isolation due to long-term chronic illness, disability of frailty," explained CEO of Health Connections, Bella Farrell.

Pictured: Some original artwork will be on display along with journals and collages.

'The Invisible Occupation' will go on display at the Health Connections shop in Smith Street from 5 to 12 September and will be open to the public between 09:00 and 17:30.

The exhibition will feature a wide variety of submissions, such as a life portrait of a frontline healthcare worker; a detailed daily journal; interviews and a montage of artwork created by Arts for Impact.

There is still time to get involved in the project before it goes up, but all submissions must be dropped to the Health Connections shop by 31 August.

Pictured top: 'The Invisible Occupation' will feature a wide range of submissions.