Guernsey has an ancient language with a long and distinctive history. Guernésiais, is the name of the Guernsey language; which derives from the ancient Normans. Today, the number of the original native speakers in Guernsey is in fast decline. It is estimated that in 2019 there are possibly fewer than 200 fluent speakers of the language and these are mainly aged over 80. I feel it’s imperative to capture this critical changing situation, as an important part of Guernsey’s social heritage and for the future legacy of the Island. Furthermore, communicating this social issue to the International community. In doing so, I have captured a part of social history, which can be so fleeting.
The Voice – Vouaïe comprises off intimate portraits of the Guernsey speakers. All of the portraits have been taken in people’s homes, showing their private and home environments. I have also photographed the Guernsey people’s personal objects, which reminds them, of their heritage, family or of their homeland. I spent over two years working on this project and have photographed over 100 people.
From the outset the Voice – Vouaïe project has reached people who would not normally take part in the arts. Through this project I have worked with the wider island community and developed relationships with people from all over the island. Furthermore, the project has brought strangers and lost relationships together, through group and individual meetings. The majority of people who and will take part in the project, were not evacuated in WW2 and spent their childhood under the Nazi occupation. In 2020 it will be 75 years since the Liberation of Guernsey. This will be a special year for the Guernsey inhabitancies and especially for the Guernsey people who experienced this troubled period of their history.
Aaron Yeandle has exhibited nationally and internationally. His education includes a B.A (Hones) in Photography, M.A in Fine Art and a PGCE. He has taught and delivered workshops and masterclasses on photography and on his own photographic practice. Aaron was the winner of The Guardians Britain Is Competition, with the photograph, The Western Ranger. He has completed four Artist-in-Residencies which were all exhibited. For the last two years Aaron has been working with the Guernsey people and photographing the last indigenous speakers of their endangered language named Voice-Vouaie. He has photographed over 100 people for this social and historical project. Aaron works mainly on long term social projects.