Manx National Heritage and the Creative Network are inviting artists, art enthusiasts and members of the public to take part in a unique large-scale crit session led by internationally renowned Manx-born artist and long-time art tutor Kevin Atherton at the House of Manannan on Sunday 21 June, from 2pm to 3.30pm.
Taking place within the TRACES exhibition, opening on 20 June, the event offers a rare opportunity on the Isle of Man to experience the kind of constructive critical discussion more commonly associated with art schools and professional creative practice.
TRACES brings together the work of 31 Manx artists responding to the theme of traces – the marks, memories and impressions we leave behind on our island, within our environment, across our culture and throughout our lives. The selected works explore themes ranging from landscape and heritage to memory, identity and personal experience.
During the session, Kevin Atherton will lead a supportive and engaging discussion exploring individual artworks and how they contribute to the exhibition’s wider interpretation of the theme. Many of the exhibiting artists are expected to attend, creating an open forum for reflection, conversation and deeper engagement with contemporary Manx art. Members of the public are warmly encouraged to participate.
Kevin Atherton has built an international reputation through a diverse practice spanning performance, sculpture, film, video, installation and public art. His works can be found across the UK, including the celebrated Platforms Piece at Brixton Station, which was granted listed status by Historic England in 2016. Atherton also has a personal connection to the exhibition, with a new video work inspired by a photograph taken during his time as a student at Douglas School of Art featured within TRACES.
Katie King, Curator for Art at Manx National Heritage said:
“TRACES explores the many ways artists respond to the marks left by people, places and memories. This crit session offers a fantastic opportunity for audiences to hear directly from artists, gain new perspectives on contemporary art, and take part in a conversation about creativity on the Isle of Man.”
The event is free to attend, although booking is required at https://manxnationalheritage.im/whats-on/. Optional donations to Manx National Heritage are welcome and help support the charity’s work caring for the Isle of Man’s historic sites, landscapes and collections.
—ENDS—