The world’s largest exhibition of works by Archibald Knox is set to be unveiled in a exhibition showcased in the National Art Gallery at the Manx Museum.
Opening Easter 2025, KNOX: Order & Beauty will feature over 200 pieces from collections across the British Isles, including rare pieces of silver, pewter and jewellery from iconic collections.
Famed for his work for The Silver Studio and Liberty & Co, Archibald Knox was a leading exponent of the ‘British Celtic Revival’ design style.
His metalwork designs with their distinctive interlace patterns, are seen as iconic examples of early 20th century design. He also embraced Arts and Crafts, British Art Nouveau and Modernism.
Archibald Knox
Born on the Isle of Man, Knox was known locally as the man who could ‘paint the wind’.
Sketching and painting for his own pleasure, he painted evocative landscapes, rural scenes, buildings and other subjects.
One of the most outstanding examples of his work is ‘The Deer’s Cry’, an illustrated manuscript featuring ‘St Patrick’s Hymn’, an uncompleted masterpiece, which will feature in the exhibition.
The exhibition will be the largest exhibit of Knox material the world has ever seen, with over 100 pieces on loan from private collections and museums and a further 100 pieces drawn from Manx National Heritage’s extensive collection, which is believed to be the largest and most diverse Knox collection in the world.
The exhibition will be the first time many of the pieces will have been seen in public to tell the story of Knox’s life and work.
Chris Hobdell of The Archibald Knox Forum said: “In order to better understand Knox one must come to the Isle of Man to experience the island’s unique history, culture, spirituality and scenery which inspired and motivated him to become one of the greatest designers and artists of the late 19th and early 20th century”.
Involving the Public
To celebrate the forthcoming exhibition Manx National Heritage and the Archibald Knox Forum are inviting members of the public to nominate their own Knox designed piece, artwork or related artefact for inclusion in the exhibition.
To nominate a piece from your private collection please email collect@mnh.im, including a photograph of your object, a short reason why you feel it should be in the exhibition and the dimensions of the piece.
From the submissions ten objects will be chosen to form the ‘People’s 10’ display in the gallery.
The competition is only open to Isle of Man residents, with entries closing at midnight on Sunday, November 24.
The exhibition will open at the Manx Museum on April 5 2025, and run until March 1, 2026.
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