Gay poet and artist honoured with blue plaque

A gay artist and poet has been awarded a blue plaque to honour his life and work after being nominated by an LGBTQ+ charity.

David Robilliard, born in 1952, in Guernsey, has had his artwork displayed in both national and international gallery collections including the Tate Modern.

The artist moved to London in 1975 to pursue a career in poetry and had his first poetry book and exhibition in 1984, which the States' Culture and Heritage department said "subsequently saw David's career thrive".

His plaque will be unveiled on Saturday, 13 December at the bottom of Clifton Steps, Market Square, in Guernsey.

Ellie Jones, the blue plaque nominator from Liberate Guernsey, said it was "wonderful" to see him recognised.

She said: "For so long, he's been known and celebrated internationally, but not locally - and that's something we've wanted to change.

"The blue plaque is a powerful reminder that Guernsey has produced artists whose work has touched the world.

"For us at Liberate, it's also deeply meaningful that this recognition comes at a time when we are celebrating David's life through the exhibition at Candie Museum. It feels like he's finally coming home."

Robilliard was not considered an activist of his time, according to the Tate Modern.

He was a gay man who lived and died during the 1980s - a time when UK government brought in Section 28, a rule that prohibited local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality.

In 1988, during the height of the Aids epidemic in the UK, Robilliard contracted the virus and later died.

The blue plaque scheme in Guernsey recognises people who have made significant contributions to the Bailiwick and beyond.

His sister Wendy Hugh said he would have been "both humbled and thrilled" by the honour.

She said: "David was part of a tight-knit family growing up in Guernsey. He was always at the centre of a group of friends and family and was very inclusive with all concerned.

"He had a burning passion to become a recognised artist and poet and moved to London to pursue this ambition.

"We are truly grateful to all concerned that David is getting this amazing honour of having a blue plaque."

The blue plaque location was picked due to its close proximity to The Little Theatre where he first appeared on stage.

Clarification 5 December: This article originally described David Robilliard as an LGBTQ+ poet and artist and has been amended to explain that he was a gay artist recently nominated for a blue plaque by an LGBTQ+ charity.

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