Kneale sculpture proposals move from Niarbyl to St John's

Planning application submitted for 'Eelips'

Plans to install a new sculpture by renowned Manx artist Bryan Kneale have been altered.

Where once the proposals would have seen 'Eelips' installed at Niarbyl, the bid now is for it to be in St John's.

A planning application has been submitted which, if approved, would see the artwork erected in the Tynwald National Park and Arboretum close to the fairground wall.

The original proposal would have seen the sculpture placed behind the Niarbyl Cafe with a view of the coastline through the 'void' in the centre. 

Pre-planning consultation sessions were held at Dalby Schoolrooms earlier this year, though the online response to the plans was critical of the location with many concerned about its impact on the view.

Bryan's daughter, Kate Kneale, visited the site in St John's in August alongside Martyn Cain of the Isle of Man Arts Council and a team from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture - which maintains the grounds.

In the revised proposal, the applicants say: "The site works well in capturing the vast and diverse beauty of the Island as well as being an accessible one of national significance.

"At a central location on the Island, the history site resonates with the concept of the work, particularly with the proximity to the nearby Ballaharra Stones.

"Planted with trees from the seventeen Manx Parishes, the Tynwald National Park and Arboretum is a reflection of the whole Island, connecting lands and sky, the distant past and unknown future.

"It is a place of ecology and wildlife, encouraging looking, slowing down, and our connection to nature." 

'Eelips' (Ellipse)

The application says: 'Bryan’s sculptures have historically considered how forms interact with each other, with shapes conceived and constructed to create a life of their own.

'While the world was in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan began a new series of works featuring a void, including Coral and Dhoon.

'The void in these elegant works is a departure, both in practice and in life; at the age of 94, Bryan considers the finality of his journey in this work, moving through the void to a place unknown.

'It also however has the effect of focusing the viewer on the internal space, the centre where the sculpture would normally lie, and as such he allows their imagination to complete the work.

'In the case of Eelips (Ellipse) this focus will be the Island, the surrounding land and sky incorporated into the work, and placing the visitor within it, forming their own unique viewpoint, with the artist and landscape continuing to excite a new generation.

'For Bryan, it attempts to remove the unknown of a void, celebrating the Manx landscape as a place of comfort and lifelong inspiration to which he will always be inextricably linked.'

Image: The view of 'Eelips' from inside the arboretum looking towards Slieau Whallian.

Bryan Kneale

Born in Douglas in 1930, Bryan Kneale studied painting at the Douglas School of Art in 1947 before being accepted to the illustrious RA Schools programme where, by 1960, he developed his widely exhibited sculptural practice.

He's the artist behind the Three Legs of Mann sculpture outside Ronaldsway Airport - he also has a number of works on display at the Manx Museum.

The proposal says: 'Despite spending much of his life in England [Mr Kneale's] spirit has always been tied to the Isle of Man. 

'The stories and landscape of the Island have always permeated his work.

'Being no longer physically able to return to the Isle of Man as he did before, so in recent years he has visited more often in his mind.'

Funding

The Eelips project is expected to cost £96,984 in total.

The bulk, £60,000, is to come from the Isle of Man Arts Council.

A further £29,000 is to come from the Royal Academy Frampton Fund, £5,000 from the Kneale Family, and £2,984 from Culture Vannin.

Image: The original plans would have seen the sculpture placed in the green space behind the Niarbyl Cafe.

Following the unveiling of the initial plans in January 2024, Bryan Kneale's Daughter Kate Kneale and his Grandson Tom Houghton spoke to Manx Radio - you can listen to the full interview via Newscast below: