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LISTEN: 'The greatest Guernsey artist you've never heard of' (PART 2)

LISTEN: 'The greatest Guernsey artist you've never heard of' (PART 2)

Friday 06 September 2024

LISTEN: 'The greatest Guernsey artist you've never heard of' (PART 2)

Friday 06 September 2024


David Robilliard's work will be displayed at Channel Islands' Pride this year - 36 years after the artist and poet died.

Charity Liberate intends to print off copies of some of his most iconic pieces so they can be held aloft as the Pride parade snakes its way from Candie Gardens to Market Square on Saturday 7 September.

The Pride celebrations at Market Square will include a safe space to emulate David's art work, or to create work inspired by his.

David's close friend Lester Queripel said he would have been thrilled - and amazed - to see his art work displayed so prominently in St Peter Port.

Having left Guernsey for London during the 1970s, David wanted to spread his wings and experience a different way of life to the one he had here.

Lester said he did that, before his death due to AIDS in 1988.

Lester Queripel David Robilliard

Pictured (l-r): Lester Queripel and David Robilliard during the 1970s.

Before his death, David had seen his art work exhibited and his poetry published. 

But he had not received cultural recognition in Guernsey.

Since his death there has been one exhibition at Candie Museum, with talk about more now.

Lester said it is only right that his life, work, and his legacy, are reflected in Guernsey as they are elsewhere.

Lester Queripel David Robilliard

Pictured: A piece of artwork that David Robilliard, Lester Queripel, and Errol Groves worked on together over the coffee table one day.

Lester has kept many original pieces of David's art work - some of which David intended to throw away as scraps.

By preserving his work he has also kept David's memory alive.

Lester remains in touch with his friend's family, and having asked David to be godfather to his son Blaine, there is a further connection between the two that doesn't diminish as the years pass.

"If you gave him something, he'd give you back more," remembers Lester, "anyone that helped him, he'd help them more, always.

"Sometimes even I have to pinch myself. 'Did it really happen? Did we ever really meet? Did we really become such great friends? Is he dead?' But it has happened. It's all real." 

Blaine Queripel David Robilliard Lester Queripel

Pictured: Blaine Queripel with his godfather David Robilliard in 1987. (Lester Queripel)

In this podcast, Lester talks about their friendship, the scrapes they got in to, the success David achieved with his work, the hard work that brought about that success, David's death, and his legacy.

Lester hopes that wider recognition of David's talent is now hitting home in Guernsey.

With talk about new exhibitions, a play based on his life, and a blue plaque near David's family home, Lester is pleased that more people are learning about him.

Pictured top: Lester Queripel at his friend's grave, with (inset) David Robilliard.

READ MORE...

LISTEN: 'The greatest Guernsey artist you've never heard of' (PART 1)

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