The charity’s Cahun collection is the largest in the world and closed to the public to ensure it is protected for future generations to enjoy. However, at a special event in April, original photographs and other works created by the world-renowned artist, will be on display at Jersey Archive for the public to view.

Helena Kergozou, Jersey Heritage’s Senior Registrar, said: “Our ‘Meet the Collections’ events are a wonderful opportunity to see all sorts of items from our collections that are not currently on public display, ranging from Occupation-related objects as we mark Liberation 80 this year, to tourism, archaeology, textiles and toys and games. However, one of the highlights for 2025 is certain to be the Claude Cahun collection and a rare opportunity to view some very special original material, including photographs, drawings and archive material.”

The Cahun collection, which includes work by fellow surrealist artist Marcel Moore, is closed to the public in line with specialist conservation advice to ensure its long-term preservation and cannot ordinarily be viewed in-person. A small selection of works is on display in ‘La Tèrr’rie d’Jèrri’ exhibition at Jersey Museum and these are rotated every six months to keep exposure time to a minimum.

The monthly ‘Meet the Collections’ events are free and start on Saturday, 1 March at Jersey Archive with the chance to view items that were added to Jersey Heritage’s collections last year. The Claude Cahun event follows on Saturday, 5 April, also at the Archive.

Helena said: “We have hundreds of thousands of fascinating pieces in our collections and we are always trying to find more ways for people to enjoy them and to understand the work we do to care and protect them. As well as sharing a host of objects during the events themselves, we’ll also be opening both of our conservation labs, as well as offering behind-the-scenes tours at both the Museum Collections Store at Sir Francis Cook Gallery and the strongrooms at Jersey Archive.”

For more information, visit our Meet the Collections page.