Second consultation for artwork sculpture at Niarbyl

A second drop in consultation will be held tomorrow (February 10) at the Villa Marina Arcade in Douglas from 11am to 1pm.

It hopes to ensure more Manx residents have the opportunity to speak to the family, learn more about the sculpture and share their views.

Many Manx residents bravely faced Thursday’s storms to attend the pre-planning consultation regarding Bryan Kneale’s proposal for a new sculptural work at Niarbyl, where more information about ‘Eelips’ was released.

Second consultation

The proposed artwork will stand at 2.4m tall, and will be constructed from Stainless Steel, appearing silver in colour.

It is proposed to be located on the land in front of Niarbyl cafe, adjacent to the telescopes, part of the man-made interventions already present in this location.

Bryan’s daughter Kate Kneale said: “It was great to meet everyone that braved the storm and get their feedback on seeing further images and our scale models of the sculpture.

“It was lovely to hear the positive responses to my Pa’s vision. We understand the bad weather may have stopped many from attending, and therefore we decided to host this second drop-in event to gain further thoughts.”

This project is proposed by Bryan Kneale, who is gifting his time and fee, and if approved will be funded by Isle of Man Arts Council via a lottery funded grant, The Frampton Fund and Culture Vannin, and delivered in partnership with Manx National Heritage and Bryan’s family.

The sculpture

Eelips (Ellipse) seeks to be a respectful yet poignant addition to the Island’s coastline.

The sculpture plans to bring together two and three-dimensional forms and 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.

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.

Bryan Kneale says: “I’m fairly obsessed with the place I came from, the Isle of Man, which is mountainous and by the sea – it would be wonderful to make something which would work in that landscape.”