"One-of-a-kind" horse photography exhibition opens

Sunday 03 November 2024

An exhibition four years in the making which showcases horses against scenic local landscapes is opening this weekend at Jersey Museum.

Barbara Pustelnik is the local photographer behind 'Jersey Horses', which will be on display at the Link Gallery from Sunday afternoon.

The exhibition unveiling will also have live music performed by David Ashurst, light refreshments and snacks.

Pictured: Barbara said the project began with a photoshoot at Grosnez. (Barbara Pustelnik)

Speaking to Express, Barbara explained that the "one-of-a-kind" Jersey Horses exhibition marks the culmination of a four-year project to capture the island's unique landscapes alongside its magnificent horses and involved 11 locations with 12 different horses.

It all started in 2021, she said, with a photoshoot at Grosnez, before she started to organise other shoots at similarly iconic island locations like Elizabeth Castle and Gorey Castle.

Barbara moved to Jersey in 2017 from Poland, where she was a horse instructor.

"I came to Jersey for a holiday and I stayed," she said.

"Each place that I went in Jersey, I was thinking how amazing a horse would look there.

"When I did the shoot at Grosnez and it worked, I thought maybe I would try more, and it grew from there."

Barbara continued: "Jersey Horses has been my personal journey, exploring the island's most iconic sites in an entirely new way, combining its history and landscapes with the untamed beauty and strength of horses."

Pictured: Elizabeth Castle and Gorey Castle also feature in the exhibition. (Barbara Pustelnik)

She explained: "My idea was to promote Jersey, perhaps in a different way to how people normally see it in postcards.

"I want to show islanders and tourists not only the beautiful spots, but that we have beautiful Jersey horses as well as Jersey cows.

"Even though we don't have our own breed, we have beautiful horses, and a really wonderful horse community.

"In Poland, horse tourism is really big, and I hope this exhibition will show Jersey as somewhere that could also have that.

"I'm very excited to share this exhibition."

Barbara also recently released her Jersey Horses 2025 Calendar, featuring photos from every location in the project, which costs £25 and is available for pre-order from her website.

Islanders can head along to the Link Gallery in the Jersey Museum on Sunday afternoon from 13:30 to 15:30 to see Barbara's work and chat to her about it.

Entry is free.

Pictured top: Barbara's stunning images are on display at the Jersey Museum.