While cod may have been the attraction that drew people from the island of Guernsey to Newfoundland and Labrador, it's the link of hooked rugs that is being featured in an international exhibition this year.
"Hooked Between Two Islands" is the name of the exhibition currently on display at Stephenville Arts and Culture Centre.
Christian Corbet, a Corner Brook artist who hooks rugs, said there were many fish harvesters from Guernsey, located in the English Channel, who came to Newfoundland to fish cod and ended up staying.
As a co-curator of the show, Mr. Corbet said this exhibition is intended to show the juxtaposition of how the artists of the two islands have continued the tradition of rug hooking, while showing similarities and the differences between the two.
Some of the Guernsey works are from the permanent collection of the National Trust of Guernsey and this is the first time they have permitted the textile rugs out of their country.
"This is a big deal and indeed an honour as those particular works were first opened in June of 2011 by Sir Geoffrey and Lady Diana Rowland at the National Trust of Guernsey," Mr. Corbet said.
"It's really interesting to see how some of these rugs were made from old coats and dresses, depicting the materials that were worn in those days, up to the tighter hooking that normally takes place today." - Christian Corbet
He is proud to have some of his works hanging in the exhibition, which features a broad cross section of styles and techniques. They've been laid side by side to display comparables of the hooked rugs between the two islands.
In addition to Mr. Corbet, some of the other Western Newfoundland artists include Benjamin Trickett Mercer, Shawn O'Hagan, Evie Newton and Sharon Kean.
Covering a period of well over 100 years, the exhibition shows the different ways "rag rugs" can be made. Some of the modern rugs in the exhibition have been designed and made by a group known as the Guernsey Rug Rats.
"It's really interesting to see how some of these rugs were made from old coats and dresses, depicting the materials that were worn in those days, up to the tighter hooking that normally takes place today," said Mr. Corbet.
The exhibition contains a total of 51 pieces and can be viewed at the Stephenville Arts and Culture Centre during regular opening hours.
