Art project collecting hundreds of shirts

Image shows part of a donated blue checked shirt with a postcard on top bearing the words: When I look at this shirt I think of my beloved dad who passed away in May this year. I love you daddy. H. Image source, ArtHouse Jersey
Image caption,

Those donating to the project have been encouraged to attach a note explaining why the item is significant to them

  • Published

An art project inviting members of the public to donate a shirt or T-shirt that holds a special meaning to them is on course to gather more than 600 items.

The work known as Dancing Together has been created by Kaarina Kaikkonen with ArtHouse Jersey and Butterfield.

It marks the first piece in the newly launched Butterfield Public Art Series, a succession of artworks to be unveiled in Jersey.

The artwork will be unveiled in mid-August in the centre of St Helier and will be a canopy made up of every donation.

The installation will stay in place until mid October, after which it will be "reimagined" and moved to the ArtHouse Jersey exhibition space at Capital House where it will be open to the public from 7 November.

The deadline to make a donation has been extended until Monday.

Shirt collection points, external include Ransoms Garden Centre, Citizens Advice Jersey and the Jersey Library.

Image source, ArtHouse Jersey
Image caption,

The shirts will form one large canopy in the centre of St Helier

Director of ArtHouse Jersey, Tom Dingle, said: "We're absolutely delighted by the many hundreds of shirts and T-shirts that have been donated to this inaugural edition of the Butterfield Public Art Series.

"Islanders have shared stories of loss, triumph, love and adventure."

Mr Dingle added: "We're on track to receive over 600 shirts that will be transformed into a colourful canopy across the Charing Cross area in St Helier.

"Kaarina Kaikkonen’s piece will be about these beautiful memories from islanders, acting as a representation of our diverse local community’s many experiences."