Blue plaque to honour artist David Robilliard
- David Robilliard, an acclaimed artist and poet, will be commemorated with a Blue Plaque on 13th December.
- A reception will take place at Guernsey Museum following the unveiling at Clifton Steps.
- An exhibition, “David Robilliard: Welcome to the Friendly Isle,” is ongoing until 31st December.
- Robilliard’s work is held in prominent collections, including Tate Modern and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
- The event aims to raise awareness and honour Robilliard's cultural legacy.
David Robilliard, the Guernsey-born artist and poet, will be commemorated with a Blue Plaque on 13th December.
The unveiling ceremony will take place at 3.30 pm at the base of Clifton Steps, Market Square, near to the site of the former Little Theatre where he first appeared on stage.
Following the event, a reception will be held at Guernsey Museum, where the exhibition “David Robilliard: Welcome to the Friendly Isle” showcases original works, including a piece on loan from the UK Government Art Collection.
This exhibition will be open until 31st December.
Ellie Jones, CEO of Liberate—a local LGBTQ+ charity and the organisation that nominated Robilliard for the plaque—said: “David is so iconic, a monumental part of our culture, our community history.”
She also noted that Robilliard’s works remain relatable and vibrant, and encouraged attendees to view them.
Robilliard’s sisters, Wendy and Jayne, expressed their gratitude for the honour, highlighting their brother’s journey from Guernsey to London in pursuit of his artistic dreams.
They remarked, “We are truly grateful to all concerned that David is getting this amazing honour of having a blue plaque. He would have been both humbled and thrilled.”
Robilliard's contributions to art have been widely recognised.
His works are included in the permanent collections of several prestigious institutions, including Amsterdam’s Stedelijk Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London.
Robilliard exhibited internationally, with solo showcases in cities such as Antwerp, Berlin, and Frankfurt.
In conjunction with the Blue Plaque, the event aims to combat the stigma surrounding HIV, which Robilliard faced during his lifetime.
He was diagnosed with HIV when he was 36 years old, just before his death in 1988.
The plaque will read: “David Robilliard, 1952–1988, Artist and Poet. First appeared on stage at The Little Theatre.”
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