Max Gaudion : en fomille – A collection of works shaped by family, heritage and landscape

The National Trust of Guernsey's Art at the Park Gallery, Saumarez Park, is delighted to host an exhibition by Max Gaudion and his family entitled 'Max Gaudion : en fomille - A collection of works shaped by family, heritage and landscape'.

The exhibition will run from Friday the 13th of November until Friday the 18th of December between 10am and 4:30pm Tuesdays to Sundays (closed Mondays). Please be aware that the exhibition will close at 2pm on the final day. The Gallery is free entry and accessible friendly.

The exhibition will also be running during our Christmas Courtyard Market between 5pm and 8pm on Monday the 7th of December.

A word from the Gaudion's;-

Max Gaudion is proud to present a collection of his and his family's work, from traditional willow basketry and a love of working with wood, to contemporary art.

Local craftsman and part-time fisherman Max Gaudion made all his willow crab pots, ponier à cous and courges (heritage fishing baskets) for his trade. Although retired from fishing, Max continues to weave and runs workshops in Guernsey, with his daughter Claire. 

Crafted for centuries by the island's fishermen to endure harsh seas, carry heavy catches and withstand generations of use, these baskets, once made for function, are now celebrated for their sculptural beauty. This knowledge has travelled hand to hand through the family, passed from his great uncle before Max, and now to his daughter, Claire. 

Claire is ensuring that Guernsey Willow Basket weaving is not only preserved for its cultural significance, but continues to flourish as a distinctive tradition. Through Claire’s work, these extraordinary woven forms are finding new relevance, equally at home in contemporary interiors, galleries and collections as they once were aboard Guernsey’s fishing boats.

Inspiration from the sea runs deep in Max's family. His son, Tim, is a local artist known for his iconic coastal landscape paintings. His work, sought after globally, shows a mastery of colour, light and composition. This lineage of artistry continues. Grandson Joe (Tim's son) is an emerging talent on the local art scene, with his first exhibition at Art for Guernsey earlier this year. His striking portraits are influenced by street art.