Friday 06 September 2019
Guernsey Museums and the Guernsey Photography Festival are thrilled to announce the acquisition of the complete set of pictures produced by Magnum photographer Mark Power during his 2018 artist in residence on the island, thanks to a successful grant application of £46,000 to UK charity Art Fund.
Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for art in the UK. It raises funds to aid the acquisition of artworks for the nation gives grants and acts as a channel for many gifts and bequests, as well as lobbying on behalf of museums and galleries and their users.
The artist in residence programme is a collaboration developed over the last seven years between the Guernsey Photography Festival and Guernsey Museums. The aim is to create a collection of contemporary photography by world famous artists about the Bailiwick of Guernsey. In exchange for their commission, each artist donates a minimum of 10 images to the Bailiwick. Artists are carefully chosen according to the type of work they have been developing over the years and how well they can respond to a specific aspect of the island and its community.
Jason Monaghan, Guernsey Museum Director said:
"The Museum welcomes this generous grant from the Art fund, which will mean the island acquires this unique collection permanently. By supporting the Photographer in Residence Programme, the Museum is building up an important collection of contemporary photography by leading international names."
Guernsey Photography Festival, Artistic Director Jean-Christophe Godet said:
"I am delighted that this application was successful and am extremely grateful to the Art Fund for their generous financial support. It is recognition of the quality of the work and the importance of our project for Guernsey. We are working for this growing collection to come a permanent display that local residents, schools and visitors to the islands can enjoy long into the future. We are also planning touring exhibitions in Europe that will help raise Guernsey's international profile. I would also like to thank, once again, Jason Monaghan and his team at Guernsey Museums for their support and trust for all those years which enables us to bring such incredible talents to the island."
Sarah Philp, Director of Programme and Policy at Art Fund said:
"This body of work represents an important collaboration between the Island of Guernsey, Guernsey Photography Festival and photographer Mark Power, whose photographs offer a unique perspective on the island by revealing what is overlooked, or kept hidden. It's an important addition to the Guernsey Museum's contemporary collection and we're very pleased to have supported it."
The artist in residence programme has been running for seven years and has so far welcomed: Martin Parr (UK), Klavdij Sluban (Slovenia), Michelle Sank (South Africa), Jason Wilde (UK), Mark Power (UK), Gregoire Eloy (France). Two artists are currently working in Guernsey: Sian Davey (UK) and Cristina De Middel (Spain/ Mexico). Their exhibitions will be presented in 2020. Our plan is to organise a major exhibition of all the work in the collection to celebrate the 10th years anniversary of this very successful programme.
The artist in residence programme is an initiative of the Guernsey Photography Festival, administrated by it and financially supported by the Guernsey Museums.
Mark Power's residency also received support from Guernsey Arts Commission, Jacksons Cars and Bella Luce Hotel.
Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for art. In the past five years alone Art Fund has given £34 million to help museums and galleries acquire works of art for their collections. It also helps museums share their collections with wider audiences by supporting a range of tours and exhibitions, and makes additional grants to support the training and professional development of curators. Art Fund is independently funded, with the core of its income provided by 151,000 members who receive the National Art Pass and enjoy free entry to over 240 museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, as well as 50% off entry to major exhibitions and subscription to Art Quarterly magazine. In addition to grant-giving, Art Fund's support for museums includes Art Fund Museum of the Year (won by St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff in 2019) and a range of digital platforms.
Find out more about Art Fund and the National Art Pass at www.artfund.org
