‘RED’ Exhibition at Studio 42, Port St. Mary
I headed South of Douglas for the second time in just over a week (foreign territory for a Northern girl!) to the opening of RED, an exhibition of works in progress by three young artists; Rebekah Corlett, Erin Dimelow and Daniel Price. The exhibition features a selection of experimental work from each artists’ developing practice.
Rebekah’s project, ‘Continued Silence’ is based on secrets and a hesitation to speak one’s mind. The beads are representative of Morse Code, an idea that I found both attractive in its execution and an appealing notion. Erin was a bit shy about me taking her photograph so I have included a photo of one of her pieces of work instead. She talked very eloquently about her love of working in the dark room and experimenting with different techniques. Look out for Daniel too – he has a page coming soon on the Directory and his atmospheric forest paintings are very striking.
Nicola Dixon has been studying the ancient crosses of the Island. It is thought there is a language to the symbols that has been lost. As well as the complex knot work and interlace, Nicola has been looking for individual designs from them that she can use in some way. Whilst Nicola says she isn’t sure where to go with these yet, I think it’s safe to say that we like them.
Nicola has also been working on her Archibald Knox schools project. The simple knot, one of the simplest elements of Celtic knot work is often seen in a knotted snake on Manx crosses. Here are some of her variations on a knot, freely drawn, using a limited colour palette to keep unity. Nicola hasn’t used alizarin crimson much over the years but says she has enjoyed using it here and that it is a good way of familiarising herself with how it mixes.
Manx Art Directory gets a Front Page Ranking in Google!
The website last week made it onto the first page in Google rankings when you search for ‘Manx Art’. On the face of it you might think ‘well that’s nice’ but what it means is that for all of the Artists I have listed, they too now have a first page ranking in Google – something that is a lot more difficult to achieve if you are just trying to get your own website seen using common search terms. I’m seeing traffic coming to the website from around the world and also click-through’s to Artist websites which is really exciting and hopefully the catalyst for an increase in worldwide sales for them!
More Directory news – I’m going to be on Manx Radio on Tuesday afternoon, being interviewed about the website on the ‘Women Today’ programme! Do tune in if you get the chance – it’s on at 2.00 pm hosted by Christy DeHaven.
‘Just Under the Surface’ the exhibition at the Market Hall in Douglas that I reported on last week, closes tomorrow. Helen Fox’s erosion work was a great success and delighted many people when it ‘eroded’ on Saturday.
There’s a new exhibition on at The Sayle Gallery. ‘The Art of Darkness’ by Julian Simmonds represents his visual exploration of the night sky and the many ‘Dark Sky’ sites located around the Island. Beautifully setting Manx landmarks and landscapes against the dramatic scenery in the sky above, this collection of photographs details over 18 months of Julian’s practice, and the countless night-time expeditions that he has undertaken to achieve this new body of work.
‘The Art of Darkness’ runs from 8th April until 22nd May 2016.
Jeremy Paul’s ‘Enforcer’ – Masai Mara Lion 28×18″ – has been selected as a finalist in the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year – exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London June 27th-July 2nd. Isn’t he lovely? Jeremy also posted up on Social Media one of his latest finished paintings, ‘Wisteria and Chaffinch’.
Milen Stankov’s ‘Portrait of Mann’ exhibition which was previously on at the Strand Shopping Centre is now on at Ramsey Town Hall until 16 April so if you missed it the first time round this is a great chance to see it again. Do pop in if you are in Ramsey – I’m sure you will recognise most of the faces!
There are three new pages on the Directory this week – Rebecca Odessa, Andrea Callow and Henry Sayle. Here is a sample of their work. You can see Rebecca’s work a the ‘Inspiration’ exhibition which is on now until 16 April at the Hodgeson Loom Gallery and I very much recommend it. I don’t think the photographs I have of her work on the website really do it justice.
The Isle of Man Art Festival is fast approaching. Make sure you clear your diary for the Bank Holiday weekend 30 April -2 May. There’s such a lot on it’s just as well there are 3 days to see it all. Wristbands and Guides are now available and at Noa Bakehouse and the Sea Terminal Welcome Centre. Entrance to studios, demonstrations and exhibition venues over all three days is £3 for adults, which includes a free festival guide. Students will receive a concessional rate of £2 and everyone under 18 goes free! This is such a great price you can afford to take the whole family with you, as well as a few friends and anyone else you can squeeze in the car! In fact, why not just get the bus….
And finally, here is a round up of some of the great images posted on Social Media this week.
Keep up-to-date by ‘Liking’ the Facebook Page or by ‘Following’ on Linkedin.
Have a great week!
Jane
