Sayart.net - “He Called Sein Island His Palace“: Douarnenez Port Museum Features Stunning Photography Exhibition of Ponant Islands by Michel Thersiquel

The Port Museum in Douarnenez is hosting an unmissable photography exhibition this summer titled "On Land, at Sea: The Islands of Michel Thersiquel." This captivating showcase presents 65 black and white photographs documenting the deeply human work that photographer Michel Thersiquel carried out on five islands of Ponant during the 1970s and 1980s. The exhibition offers visitors a fascinating journey through Thersiquel's lens, capturing the essence of island life during this significant period. Cristhine Le Portal and Pernette Minel, representing the Association of Friends of Michel Thersiquel, curated this remarkable collection that celebrates the photographer's intimate connection with these remote Atlantic islands. The exhibition opens with a large-format photograph that immediately draws visitors into Thersiquel's world. "We chose this particular image because the look in this man's eyes reminds us that it's not always easy to set foot on an island for the first time," explains Cristhine Le Portal, highlighting the emotional depth that characterizes Thersiquel's approach to photography. The title of the exhibition references Thersiquel's personal connection to Sein Island, which he fondly referred to as "his palace," demonstrating the photographer's deep affection for these maritime communities. The 65 carefully selected photographs showcase Thersiquel's ability to capture both the rugged beauty of island landscapes and the resilient spirit of their inhabitants. His work from the 1970s and 1980s provides a unique historical document of life on the Ponant islands, preserving moments of daily existence that might otherwise have been lost to time. The black and white format of the photographs adds a timeless quality to the images, emphasizing the enduring nature of island life while highlighting the artistic vision that made Thersiquel's work so distinctive. Visitors to the Port Museum can experience this comprehensive retrospective throughout the summer months, offering both art enthusiasts and those interested in maritime heritage an opportunity to explore these remarkable Atlantic communities through the eyes of a master photographer.