2017 December Artwork of the Month

Midwinter, La Gran Mere du Chimquiere

Artist: Frances Lemmon (b. 1961)

Medium: Oil on board

Each year the Museum commissions a local artist to create an artwork to be reproduced as its Christmas card. This year the commission was awarded to the artist Frances Lemmon.

Frances moved to Guernsey as a girl, later going on to study at Camberwell School of Art, Sir John Cass and London College of Printing.

Frances says of her paintings;

"They are constructed gradually using layers of paint to create a vibrancy and translucency."

This painting depicts the Neolithic statue at the gate of the St. Martin parish church. It has been named La Gran'mère du Chimquière, the Grandmother of the Cemetery.

At various times of the year local people adorn her with seasonal flowers and greenery, honouring her as well as hoping she'll bring them good luck.

Depicting the church behind means that both the pagan and Christian traditions of the Christmas season are represented.

Frances has work in private and public collections worldwide.