It’s strange how that all-purpose opener, “During the war…” has acquired a reputation for turning off the minds and attention of younger generations; seemingly bored by that conflict not so long ago. The Occupation & Liberation exhibition at the Arts Centre’s Berni Gallery shows this stereotype to be far from true. Secondary school art students from a number of island schools have been working on projects to reflect and respond to Jersey’s Occupation and Liberation. The students have visited the Jersey War Tunnels, numerous bunkers across the island and where possible spoken to their relatives and members of the community who have first hand memories of those troubled times. As with any show of work from a number of artists, it would be impossible to sum up the exact style and mood of what you’ll see, however the eclectic nature of the assembled pieces does provide a rich sample of these teenagers’ responses to our history. Most of the assembled pieces demonstrate a clear curiosity about the subject matter that goes far beyond the obvious bunkers of Occupation and bunting of Liberation. The series of memory-boxes created by Le Rocquier students are worthy of intimate inspection. Although small, they convey a careful attention to detail and thoughtful engagement with the lean years of Occupation and the hopes and fears of those who lived through it. The students who have boldly undertaken portraits, have been successful in drawing the viewer into a close examination of haunted faces, which I suspect may disturb some a little. Much of this work demonstrates just how this dark chapter in our history has been inexorably woven into the fabric of the island they call home. Amongst the many landscapes that include or feature bunkers or other German concrete fortifications there are various feelings of peace, slow decay and dark malevolence; none are ambiguous. Anyone who might be wont to despair of ‘the youth of today’ would do well to take in ‘Occupation & Liberation’ which reinforces the importance of forgiving but never forgetting. You will also have the opportunity to see some very fine, sensitive and sincere works of art. Occupation & Liberation continues daily at the Berni Gallery, Jersey Arts Centre until 16 April between 10:00 and 22:00 each day. Admission in free. | 
