6 Ways of Seeing – Art Exhibition

Manx National Heritage is proud to unveil ‘6’ - an extraordinary exhibition showcasing the talents of six exceptional artists whose work captures the spirit of the Isle of Man Biosphere.

The exhibition features works by Ellie Baker, Sally Black, Helen Faragher, Petrina Kent, Ella Magee, and Ongky Wijana - each offering a distinctive perspective and style. Through diverse media including painting, stone carving, and ink, each artist has produced a body of work which interprets and reflects their sense of place within the Island, influenced its heritage, history, culture, and natural beauty.

Hear from the artists themselves and a glimpse into their work…

It’s hard to imagine in these dark winter days that The Isle of Man was often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North”. Not because of its abundant canals (there aren’t any) but for the clear, clean light which provided inspiration to generations of artists. Away from the Industrial North, the Isle of Man was (and to some extent still is) a calm respite from the rapid development and growth of the mainland towns. Each artist in this exhibition has a unique response to the world around them and in particular to this beautiful Island on which we live.

Ellie Baker: My response is not to paint a direct representation of the landscape, but to explore the application and removal of paint on canvas until an image is built up that shows the elements of our Island. The process, which can include layering, scraping back, sanding and dragging paint, is constantly evolving and this in turn mirrors the world around us. 

Sally Black: My response is not to paint the landscape (though it is beautiful) but to take elements that stimulate my creativity and paint anything that takes my fancy whilst incorporating those elements into the art. These tiny sparks may be a flash of turquoise in a raft of grey sky, the sudden surprise of gorse blossom on a dull day or a tray of herring lined up in the fish shop window.

Helen Faragher: Daily walking across the Island’s stunning landscapes provides a constant supply of ever-changing visual material. My paintings are not a traditional replica of a view, rather they reflect the glimpse of a moment, inviting the viewer into an atmosphere they have already experienced subconsciously. I endeavour to awake the senses so that the viewer feels the painting when they are out amongst their Island environment.

Petrina Kent: My work stems from the visual impact of the landscape, intertwined by life’s experience. I have a long working process of building up layers of paint and glazes until the work shines with light.

Ella Magee: My artwork is ethnographic and anthropological. It often exists with an allegorical twist, as pictorial story telling is one of our earliest forms of communication. The biggest influence is the space and environment in which I live, like an ecological visual memoir. I produce artwork in a variety of media. Often the process and media are a response to the environment and extensive research, considering the best ways to authentically communicate visually.

Ongky Wijana: From the time I first came to the Island, the history, ancient culture, and use of natural stone have fascinated me. I love knowing that the old churches, cottages, castles and walls of the island were built by hands not unlike my own, the builders choosing a piece of stone for its various qualities just as I do for my sculptures.

This Island is unique. Our land, sea and coastline are very special habitats and our precious Biosphere status ensures caretaking of this. Our job as artists, and this includes music, dance, drama and literature, is to show and maintain this very special place.

‘6’ is a journey into the heart of the Isle of Man through the eyes of six remarkable artists. Find more details on this page, and don’t miss the chance to experience their captivating interpretations of our inspiring Biosphere!