Bryan Kneale's Niarbyl sculpture will be 'interactive'
The family of Bryan Kneale MBE - the Manx artist with plans to install a new sculpture in Niarbyl - say they hope the installation will inspire generations of Isle of Man residents to come.
Plans for 'Eelips' were announced in January, with an image of the design plans posted online.
It's understood Mr Kneale wants the sculpture to be a 'respectful addition to the coastline' and he chose the site due to its 'stunning views up and down the coastline' as well as the area's 'geological history'.
Mr Kneale was born in Douglas in 1930 and studied painting at the Douglas School of Art in 1947.
Manx residents will be familiar with his three legs of Mann sculpture outside Ronaldsway Airport, as well as a number of his works inside the Manx Museum.
A statement on the planned Niarbyl sculpture says: "Bringing together two and three-dimensional forms, the sculpture is designed to physically frame the landscape, creating a portal crossing time and place, a space for contemplation and passage.
"The sculpture will be seen in the landscape, but the landscape will also be seen through the sculpture, via a cut-out void in the centre of the artwork. Natural beauty and human creativity are brought together, with each visitor completing the scene from their own unique viewpoint and imagination.
"The artwork is a result of a life’s work in painting and sculpture by this renowned artist, and the realisation of a long-held ambition to install an artwork in the Manx landscape."
His family, members of Manx National Heritage and the Isle of Man Arts Council will be holding a pre-planning consultation event at Dalby Schoolrooms today between midday and 6:30pm.
People are invited to come down and ask questions.
Image: Bryan Kneale's Grandson Tom Houghton (Left) with and Daughter Kate Kneale (Right) with a model of the proposed sculpture.
'One thing we want to make clear is that it's not something purely on the cliff edge, it will be on the lawn behind the Niarbyl Cafe - you can walk around and interact with it.'
Bryan's Grandson Tom Houghton explained why he hopes people will attend the consultation event:
'He announced he was going to make one last piece of sculpture, and its going to be Eelips' - Kate Kneale
Bryan's Daughter Kate Kneale says her father has battled with health difficulties in recent years, and is 'too frail' to travel to the Island now.
She explained to Manx Radio how this motivated her Dad to transfer his skills to a new medium:
You can hear more from Kate and Tom in the latest Manx Radio Newscast HERE.
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