Russell Layton
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How we live now | Comme jé vivons achteu (2020)

What would our forebears make of our contemporary Jersey lives?
 
In this series of limited edition prints, our modern selves are placed within scenes captured by historic Jersey photographs sourced from the archives of Jersey Heritage and the Société Jersiaise.
 
Our Victorian ancestors, once the anonymous subjects of these photographs, now become the observers of our modern world and encourage us to see ourselves – as if through a looking glass - from a new perspective.

Picture
Porsche / La Collette and Havre des Pas, 1900  
This was the image that I first created in the series and when I added the main photograph to the picture I was struck by how suddenly the figures came to life.  I’d love to hear what the three say when they allow the car to pass.
530mm x 1050mm.
Photographs courtesy of Jersey Heritage and the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive
Picture
DJ decks / The Royal Square, 1905  
It’s interesting how times – and our perception of crowds - have changed even since I made this picture in 2019.
660mm x 800mm.
Photograph courtesy of Jersey Heritage
Picture
VW van / Horse and carts and La Caumine à Marie Best, c. 1910  
‘Back in the day’ our beaches weren’t used for leisure.  And the White House looked like a wreck…
650mm x 800mm.
Photographs courtesy of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive
Picture
Swimming pool / The garden of Sir George Bertram, Rockmount, Gorey, 1890  
I wanted the swimming pool, with its bold simple shapes, to contrast with the complexity of textures in the garden.
740mm x 820mm. Photograph courtesy of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive
Picture
Range Rover / Harvest workers, 1910  
Both the varied character of each of the workers, and their group reaction, is captured beautifully in the photograph.
635mm x 800mm. 
Photograph courtesy of Jersey Heritage
Picture
Barbecue / Société Jersiaise excursion, 1900  
Could the gent on the left be any more relaxed? 
800mm x 710mm.
Photograph courtesy of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive
Picture
RIB / The Stamberg family shrimping party at the Ecrehous, 1906  
This deserted reef was once the domain of privileged adventurers.
1000mm x 630mm.
Photograph courtesy of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive
Picture
DJI drone / The Le Bas family on a shoot, 1910  
Like us,  these hunters have varied responses to new technology.
590mm x 700mm.
Photograph courtesy of Jersey Heritage
Picture
Bentley / La Moye Farm, 1904  
The humble origins of large properties are often overlooked.
695mm x 750mm. 
Photograph courtesy of Jersey Heritage
Picture
Saplings / Bouley Bay, c.1903  
It’s surprising how many wooded valleys are relatively new.
505mm x 800mm. Photograph courtesy of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive
Picture
Reservoir / Queen’s Valley, 1910  
"Après moi, le deluge."
595mm x 950mm.
Photograph courtesy of Jersey Heritage
Detail:
Picture
Picture
Keypad / Simon family group St John with French manservant, bull, two horses and carriage, 1897  
In some respects, little has changed.
415mm x 1050mm. 
Photograph courtesy of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive
Detail: 
Picture
Picture
Audi Quattro / Mont de la Chésnaie, St Lawrence, c. 1900  
Mont de la Chésnaie is one of the lanes into Waterworks Valley.  The gate post (but not the man) is still there.
680mm x 950mm.
Photograph courtesy of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive
Picture
Samsung television / The Gaillard family, c. 1890  
The television may have replaced the fire in our shared family moments. 
505mm x 750mm. 
Photograph courtesy of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive
Picture
Massey Ferguson Tractor / Plough with horses in Grouville, 1910
My neighbour’s beautiful vintage tractor reminded me that the challenge posed by new technology is not a new phenomenon. 
Photograph courtesy of Jersey Heritage

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© Russell Layton 2017-2026
  • HOME
  • GALLERIES
    • Slow Lanes Fast Lives (2026)
    • The Battle of Jersey: Peirson & Pompey (2025)
    • Jersey Parish Suns (2025)
    • The Jerseyer (2025)
    • Claude Cahun/Marcel Moore (2024/5)
    • Battle of Jersey (2023)
    • I Heart Jersey (2021)
    • How we live now (2020)
    • Fantasy Island (2016): Page 1
    • Fantasy Island (2016): Page 2
    • Jersey Landscapes (2010)
    • Guernsey/Sark Landscapes (2009)
    • Jersey Landscapes (2007)
    • Cityscapes
    • Commissions
    • Sketchbook
  • News
  • Bio
  • METHOD
  • PURCHASE
  • CONTACT
  • LINKS