Autoportrait à ma Grand-Mère
Pictured: Performer/Artist Patricia Allio
FRIDAY 26 & SATURDAY 27 MAY 2023 AT ARTHOUSE JERSEY AT CAPITAL HOUSE
ArtHouse Jersey is delighted to partner with Alliance Française de Jersey to present an international premiere of an extraordinary theatre performance by French artist Patricia Allio. Taking the form of a ‘lecture-performance’, Autoportrait à ma Grand-Mère (Self-Portrait to My Grandmother) is a letter written to Julienne Le Breton, Patricia’s grandmother originally from Morbihan in north-west Brittany.
An orphan who became an agricultural worker in the Breton countryside and Jersey, Patricia Allio starts from this ‘tiny life’ to rethink the peripheral status of Brittany on the French map, the relations of class and domination, vulnerability and queer identity. In this sound journey of two voices, between audio, archives and a live narrative, the performed monologue takes the form of an open letter to an old woman, vibrant with emotions, politics and eroticism. The autobiographical tribute does not focus on pain and loss but the joy of remembering and continuing a dialogue. Performed in French and English with English surtitles the performance running time is 85 mins.
On Friday 26 May both ArtHouse Jersey and Alliance Française will co-host a post-show reception on Friday 26 May with audience members. The performance on Saturday 27 May will be followed by a post-show conversation with the artist and writer of the work, Patricia Allio.
Head of Programme for ArtHouse Jersey, James Tyson, said “I saw this performance almost a year ago in Rennes and felt it speaks to so many themes and experiences that are often not spoken about - the strange denials of history and culture, conflicting desires across generations within families, and the consoling freedom that can be found in reconnecting to an older generation and experiencing their desires, their choices and how this can shape our own present. The story of Julienne de Breton is intrinsically linked to her time in Jersey and Patricia Allio has brought this story of her grandmother back to life to confront her own questions, her own desires and conflicts in a compelling way that allows us to feel both the weight and lightness of history.“
Autoportrait à ma Grand-Mère takes place on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 May, 7pm start both nights at ArtHouse Jersey at Capital House. Tickets are available via ArtHouse Jersey’s Eventbrite page and cost £12 to £15 + booking fee.
A small allocation of tickets are available as a pay-what-you-can option for those who might struggle to meet the cost at this time.
