Manx artists explore memories, heritage and identity

A new exhibition bringing together artists from across the Isle of Man has opened at the House of Manannan.

Traces, organised by the Creative Network, displays art exploring a range of ideas from history to ancient landscapes and environmental change.

"We felt that there was a need and a desire to have more opportunities for artists on the island to share their work, because it's quite an isolated way to spend your time," said the exhibition's organiser Myra Gilbert.

What started as a small open studios initiative has grown into a network of more than 70 artists.

Members of the creative network were invited to respond to the theme of "traces".

It prompted a range of responses, with artists exploring everything from family photographs and personal memories to Manx history, landscapes and the environment.

Gilbert, who has a background in fashion, designed her display to revolve around the story of her great-grandmother, who married at the age of 18 in 1891.

Using tissue paper, Gilbert recreated an outfit worn by her ancestor in a historical photograph.

"The work reflects on the different expectations placed upon women across generations, and the traces of a life led, through memories and family documents," she explained.

Gilbert also explored themes of childhood memories of collecting flowers, and making "fairy shoe shops," incorporating Manx wildflowers and language into her pieces.

Elsewhere on display, Andrew Makellar turns attention to the island's prehistoric times through a painting inspired by ancient stone sites.

Makellar said the monuments "fascinated" him for many reasons but particularly how they reveal connections between modern communities and those who lived on the island thousands of years ago.

"They represent a continuation of time. In a way, we have the same concerns as our prehistoric ancestors," said Makellar.

His work is on the cover of the exhibition book, and demonstrates that the traces of earlier generations remain embedded in the landscape, waiting to be discovered.

Photography plays a significant role in the exhibition.

For Paul Ford, traces of familial history are explored through glass negatives, which is an antique form of photograph.

"It is that ghostly thing and the magic of how a plate can recreate the essence of the person," Ford explained.

"It preserves fragments of personality long after people are gone."

Other photographers in the exhibition use modern-day experimental techniques.

Patricia Tutt uses intentional camera movement and image blending to transform Manx scenery.

"Being involved with this creative community has encouraged me in recent years, and pushed me to greater experimentation," she said.

Tutt's work covers Peel Castle, Fenella beach and Ramsey.

For Helen Fox, traces are found in everyday materials accumulated over a lifetime, and how they blend into the Manx landscape.

After retiring, she said she began sorting through years of paperwork.

"Teaching notes, receipts, personal documents - they all had to go," she said.

Rather than discarding them, though, the papers were shredded and transformed into paper sculptures.

Fox also used discarded plastic nets and moulded them around pebbles collected from Manx beaches.

"I tried to create pieces that explore the impact we leave behind," she said.

The exhibition at the House of Manannan in Peel runs until 13 September.

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