ArtHouse Jersey is appealing to more Islanders to give up a shirt or tshirt that has a special meaning to them to form as part of a large scape public artwork being unveiled in the centre of St Helier this summer.
People in Jersey have been donating their garments at the eight drop off drop off centres around the Island with many sharing a memory or story associated with the shirt itself. Islanders now have until the deadline on Sunday 4 August to donate their shirts and be included in the large-scale public art installation, ‘Dancing Together’, an artwork being created by leading Finnish contemporary artist Kaarina Kaikkonen.
The piece marks the first edition of the newly launched Butterfield Public Art Series, a succession of artworks in Jersey’s public realm produced by ArtHouse Jersey together with Butterfield. The artwork will be a canopy that stretches across the high street made from over 600 shirts, donated by the community, and will appear in the town centre in August.
Some of the anonymous stories from Islanders include memories of someone they have lost. One Islander said: “My dad’s favourite shirt was a worn, soft flannel, a staple he would wear most days. It was more than just a piece of clothing, it was a part of him, a constant in my childhood. I remember the way it felt when I hugged him, the familiar scent of his cologne mixed with a hint of sawdust from his workshop. As his health began to decline the shirt took an even more special significance. It became a source of comfort and a tangible reminder of his presence. After he passed away the shirt was neatly folded in his drawer. I brought it to my face, inhaling deeply, searching for traces of his scent.”
Another said: “My gorgeous son Olly, a former surfer and musician. He died in 2023 aged 28. The P&G logo reminds us how liked and loved he was. Jersey’s community cared deeply and held music events to raise thousands of pounds to help ensure he had the best care & equipment following brain injury in 2014. There are 100’s of P&G T-shirts being worn across the globe. This one is mine, Love Olly’s mum x”
Others spoke of memories of travel and adventure, such as: “This T-shirt was about to go in the bin, before cutting out the tag as a keepsake. I bought it in Argentina, and travelled with me for a year. To Machu Picchu and Torres Del Paine, and into the rainforest. To the end of the world. The little coloured thread is from the laundrette. Thanks for giving it a second life”. One spoke of life in the Royal Navy, recounting: “Fifty years ago when I was serving in the Royal Navy one of our tasks was to clear the Suez Canal of conflict debris from the Six Day War between Egypt and Israel. One of the t-shirts is the commemorative one which the Suez Canal Authority gave to all the RN personnel involved and the other is HMS Hubberston, the minehunter which I was serving on. Coincidentally King Charles was the Captain of one of the other Minesweepers in the Squadron I was serving on.” And another that simply says: “Many happy holidays in Africa”.
People are invited to share the memory or story associated with your shirt by anonymously filling out a project postcard at the donation point or by emailing text, audio or video to [email protected]. ArtHouse Jersey would like to stress there is no obligation to share your shirt’s meaning, only if you wish to do so as these stories and memories may be shared publicly. If you simply wish to donate garments they would be most welcome.
People can drop their shirts off between now and Sunday 5th August to Ransoms Garden Centre, Citizens Advice Jersey, Jersey Library, St Brelade Communicare Library, Mind Jersey Drop-In Centre, ArtHouse Jersey at Capital House, Butterfield at the IFC6 or St Helier Town Church.
Main picture: Kaarina Kaikkonen-Dialogs. MNBA Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Santiago Chile
