David Robilliard: welcome to the friendly isle exhibition opens in Guernsey
- Guernsey Museums & Galleries and Guernsey Arts present a new exhibition on local artist David Robilliard.
- The exhibition runs from 18 October to 31 December 2025 at Guernsey Museum.
- Robilliard's works are included in major collections but remain largely under-recognised at home.
- The exhibition features newly acquired artworks and a retrospective of his life and legacy.
- A loan from the UK Government Art Collection highlights Robilliard’s national significance.
Guernsey Museums & Galleries, in collaboration with Guernsey Arts, has announced a major exhibition titled David Robilliard: Welcome to the Friendly Isle.
Celebrating the life and work of local-born artist and poet, David Robilliard, the exhibition will take place at the Guernsey Museum at Candie from Saturday 18 October, to Wednesday 31 Decembe.
Despite being included in significant international collections, such as the Tate Modern and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Robilliard’s impactful story remains largely unknown within his native Guernsey. This exhibition aims to rectify this.
Born in Guernsey, Robilliard left the island in 1975 to explore poetry in London. His creative expression soon expanded to painting, addressing themes of art, love, sexuality, and identity. His first poetry collection and solo art exhibition debuted in 1984, marking the beginning of a flourishing career. Robilliard’s life was cut short in 1988 after he contracted HIV.
Interest in Robilliard's work has grown following the release of the 2023 documentary Life is Excellent, presented by actor Russell Tovey. The documentary highlighted Robilliard's unique contributions to British art and raised awareness about his lack of recognition in Guernsey. In response, Guernsey Museums & Galleries acquired eight works by Robilliard for their permanent collection in 2024.
The exhibition Welcome to the Friendly Isle will display these newly acquired works in the Greenhouse Gallery, curated by Guernsey Arts. A retrospective in the Museum Foyer will further explore Robilliard’s life, art, and local legacy. The exhibition will also feature a loan from the UK Government Art Collection, reinforcing Robilliard's significance on a national scale.
Mike Lowe, the Museum Registrar and exhibition curator, said: “I’m really excited to finally be able to help share David Robilliard’s artwork and poetry with the island through this exhibition. This has very much been a labour of love over the last couple of years. Along the way it’s been amazing how many people have become involved in raising awareness of David on the island and how many people whose lives have been touched by his creativity have reached out and supported this.”
Lowe continued: “Aside from helping give David the local recognition he deserves, this exhibition is also about representation. As a young artist myself growing up on Guernsey in the 80’s and 90’s knowing about David and his work, his place in the LGBTQ+ community, the authenticity with which he lived his life and the resulting creative success he was able to achieve, would have been an inspiration.”
Russ Fossey, Head of Arts Development at Guernsey Arts, added: “It is a privilege to be hosting David’s work in the Greenhouse Gallery. We applaud Guernsey Museums’ commitment in recognising David and acquiring these pieces for the people of Guernsey.”
The Guernsey Museum at Candie will be open daily from 10am, including bank holidays, with varying closing times from 2 November. Entry fees apply, with free admission available through a Discovery Pass.
The age guidance for the foyer display is PG, while the Greenhouse Gallery is suitable for ages 15 and above.
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