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A mural celebrating Jersey's modern and multicultural identity was removed from one of St Helier’s most visible buildings over the weekend – and there are currently no plans for a replacement.
The large-scale artwork on Normans at Commercial Buildings was painted over last week, restoring the building's original iconic yellow facade.
In a project coordinated by UK-based street art organisation Wood Street Walls and ArtHouse Jersey, the mural was designed by muralist Gabriel Pitcher with contributions from local artists Ben Robertson, James Carter, Kirsty Garcia and Olivia Garcia.
Entitled ‘Home’, the 600sqm depiction of a children's party with seven people of multicultural heritage sitting around a table.
It aimed to celebrate the cultural contributions of Jersey’s Polish, Portuguese, and Romanian communities while also highlighting what the island might lack for migrant workers and the sacrifices they make to call Jersey 'home'.
“As the contracted timespan of our Home mural comes to an end, we reflect on what an impactful project this was," ArtHouse Director Tom Dingle said.
Pictured: Gabriel Pitcher's mural portrayed the experience of migrant workers he met in Jersey. (Max Burnett)
"Pieces of art in the public realm, like this mural, play an important role in strengthening a sense of place and belonging," he continued.
"The mural was created as part of a wider piece of research that was conducted by artists from Poland, Portugal and Romania and considered the lived experience of migrant workers from each of these locations."
Islanders took to social media to express varied opinions about the mural and its removal.
Some lamented the loss of the "thought-provoking" and “evocative” mural and the return of the "harsh" and “horrible” yellow.
Others were happy to see it removed as they found it "depressing", with one labelling it as "dreary rubbish."
Suggestions surfaced for an “inspiring” replacement that featured brighter colours and Jersey-themed motifs, such as local scenery, Jersey cows or the island’s coastal defences.
Chris Clifford, Director of Jersey's Private & Public Gallery, highlighted the transient nature of murals as short-lived and temporary works of art.
Pictured: Chris Clifford, Gallery Director at Private & Public. (Gary Grimshaw)
He said criticism of the mural's perceived depressing tone was likely due to the challenges of grasping the meaning behind it during a quick drive or walk past it without pausing for contemplation.
The artist previously explained that it aimed to reflect the cramped living conditions for individuals often living in bedsits, the challenges posed by the island's spacial constraints and the struggles associated with entering the cramped housing market.
Mr Clifford said: “The claustrophobic nature of the image aimed to highlight the plight of immigrants living in the island.
“However, because it is essentially a drive-by, people often do not invest the time or energy into looking up or understanding or contemplating the deeper messages of the piece.”
Pictured: The Normans building was painted to depict yellow paint dripping down a granite wall in 2014 as part of the Skipton Open Studios art festival.
He also emphasised the need to address funding sources if the mural were to be replaced.
While the mural was not commissioned by the government, independent organisation ArtHouse Jersey receives grants from the government.
He said: “If the owner wants to do it it is entirely within their rights but if it is taxpayers' money then there needs to be a clearer understanding of the aims and objectives of the artwork going forward.”
FOCUS: The meaning behind Jersey's new multicultural mural
Pictured top: The mural being removed last week. (Andy Jay/Jersey by phone camera)
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