Changing Faces Channel Islands is part of the UK-based charity Changing Faces, which in turn is part of Face Equality International, an alliance of NGOs, charities and support groups which are working to promote the campaign for ‘face equality’. Face equality is the concept that individuals should be treated fairly and without discrimination based on their facial appearance, and emphasises the idea that everyone has inherent value and should enjoy the same rights and opportunities.
Face Equality Week was established to shine a light on the issues faced by those who have disfigurements of the face or body from any cause, and to champion equity and inclusion. The best way to counteract any kind of stigma is to foster human connection through finding common ground. That common ground for facial difference is knowing that we all feel societal pressures to look a certain way, but this is not what defines our worth.
This is where art can help, as it has the power to change perceptions and can be used as a tool for social good. Portraying those with a facial difference in art form is a celebration of what makes us different, and promotes inclusivity. Exhibitions that have shared sitters’ stories alongside their portraits have created empathy and further shifted thenarrative around facial disfigurement, which can affect anyone, at any time or at any age.
Art for Guernsey is joining forces with Changing Faces in Guernsey to celebrate Face Equality Week with a ‘My Face is a Masterpiece’ art competition. They will be running a workshop on Saturday 17 May, led by artist Charlie Buchanan. Charlie’s work has featured in a number of Art for Guernsey exhibitions, including Invasion of the Wavelets, L’s Olures, Of Earth & Islands and the Channel Islands Contemporary Art Show. She is an accomplished portraitist and art teacher with extensive workshop experience.
The two charities are appealing to the community to find sitters for the project. Anyone who has a facial difference of any kind would be welcomed, or anyone who is struggling with their appearance or who has overcome self-consciousness about the way they look. The workshop is intended to be a launchpad for a wider project involving the island’s schools, and culminating in an exhibition in 2026 entitled My Face is a Masterpiece.
David Ummels, founder and chairman of Art for Guernsey, said:
“I was touched a few years ago by the incredible courage, resilience and work of James Partridge, the founder of Changing Faces, who sadly passed away. When Jill Clark and Nick King from the charity approached me about a collaboration, I immediately felt excited because I believe that if there is one field that should celebrate diversity and difference, it is art. We will kick-start this project with a workshop led by Charlie Buchanan, and we would like to take this opportunity to invite sitters and participants. In the spirit of inclusivity, the workshop will be free of charge to attend.
“During Face Equality Week we will be engaging with the island’s schools to create awareness of the courageous people who live with a facial difference, as well as exploring the wider issue of self-perception. This is especially relevant for teenagers, many of whom are dissatisfied with some aspect of their appearance, and I think it’s incredibly important to celebrate through art how diverse people are. If that can help in some way, not only to make members of Changing Faces feel more welcome in our community, but also to make people feel more comfortable with the uniqueness of how they look, it is an opportunity not to be missed.”
Jill Clark is Chair of both Changing Faces in Guernsey and Face Equality International. She said:
“People with non-perfect faces should be celebrated – we should judge people on their personality, not what they look like. We are hoping that a ‘My Face is a Masterpiece’ exhibition will encourage everyone to view people who have facial differences in a positive manner. If you have a facial difference and would consider sitting for us, you would be helping to pioneer the campaign for Face Equality. If you are interested in sitting but have any worries or concerns, please let us know as we are happy to chat – this is an entirely positive campaign and the Art for Guernsey Gallery is a very safe and welcoming space.”
Art for Guernsey would love to hear from potential sitters for the workshop – if you would like more information, please contact Ava Inder at ava@artforguernsey.com or call Jill Clark on 07781 118544. Ava would also be happy to hear from you if you would like to participate in the workshop.
