An Introduction to Manx Art (online talk)

For over 100 years the Manx Museum on the Isle of Man has been collecting art for the people of the Isle of Man. Today the collection contains more than 7,000 works by established Manx artists or by artists inspired by the Isle of Man, dating from the seventeenth century to the modern day. The collection is varied and eclectic. It includes everything from the earliest-known views of the Isle of Man and engaging portraits of Manx society figures, to our internationally celebrated internment art collection. Alongside fine art, sit naïve pieces and folk art, together with topographical sketchbooks. The talk will explore why the Isle of Man remains a constant source of artistic inspiration.

Katie King has worked for Manx National Heritage since 2004. In June 2021 she was appointed Curator: Art & Social History. For the preceding twelve years she was the Community Outreach & Learning Officer for the organisation, where she enjoyed engaging visitors with the collections in Manx National Heritage’s care, whilst also championing an 'access for all' ethos across the organisation and the island as a whole. Katie brings her passion for audience engagement to the role of Curator: Art & Social History, and delights in using the collections to engage and inspire visitors. The diverse collections she cares for all have one thing in common – they are all about people. It is through revealing these human stories, sometimes through aesthetic beauty and sometimes through everyday ordinariness, that connections can be made. She believes it is through making these ordinary connections that the collections become more relevant and engaging to audiences. Katie was born on the Isle of Man, and studied History at the University of Liverpool, before completing her master's in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. She has previously worked at The Wordsworth Trust and National Museums Liverpool.

Manx National Heritage

We are a registered charity responsible for protecting and promoting the Isle of Man’s natural and cultural heritage, looking after some of the Island’s most special places, spaces, archives and museum collections. The organisation was founded in 1886, with a remit to collect and preserve the history of the Manx people and the Island itself. Some 130 years later we still follow that same principle. This means our collections are unique, in that they only contains artefacts that are connected to the Isle of Man. In 1922, the Island’s first public museum, the Manx Museum, opened its doors. It enabled, for the first time, people of the Isle of Man to explore and celebrate their own history. When it opened the Manx Museum had a modest collection of art works on display by celebrated Manx artist, John Miller Nicholson, but by 1936 a new art gallery was added to display the growing collection of art. Today we have a purpose built art gallery at the Manx Museum and the collection contains more than 7,000 artworks which tell rich stories about the Island’s history and how the Island has been a source of artistic inspiration for centuries.

About Bethlem Gallery events

Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult. Concessions are available for SLaM service users, people over 60, students, people receiving ESA, people registered disabled and their carers. We often take photos at our events to use on social media – please speak to the facilitator if you do not want to appear in any photos.

If you are unable to attend, please contact us to cancel your place. We often have a waiting list.