Motorsport journalist and visual artist Rachael Clegg will open the doors to her latest exhibition Thirty Seven and Three Quarters at the House of Manannan for TT 2023.
The exhibition wittily celebrates the history of the Isle of Man TT through a series of strikingly unusual monochrome photographs, each interpreting and illustrating an event in the TT’s history. This history – along with hundreds of stories from Rachael’s research – has fed into her series of IOM TT images taken over the last ten years known as Milestones. Her latest images will be in this exhibition.
A motorsport fan through and through, with both her father and grandfather competing in the Isle of Man TT races, this ‘oil in the blood’ up-bringing has inspired Rachael’s artistic works.
Thirty Seven and Three Quarters coincides with Clegg’s recently-released photobook of her entire body of work, along with images of the TT dating back to 1907 belonging to the Mortons Archive. The book will be on sale at the House of Manannan throughout the exhibition period and some of the Mortons Archive images will be on display in the show.
Speaking of the exhibition, Clegg said:
“It’s absolutely brilliant that Manx National Heritage are hosting this show. The TT has a fascinating history with some incredible stories. Since the event started in 1907 road racers have risked broken limbs, bovine intruders, Manx fog and more – all in the pure pursuit of speed. You have to love that. In this world of punitive speeding fines and health and safety excesses, the TT is a sacred phenomenon. My images are designed to celebrate and embrace the bonkers, bold and brave risks that our road racers have taken over the last 116 years.”
There will be an exclusive opportunity to meet the artist on Monday 5 June when Rachel will host short tours of the exhibition followed by signing sessions at 10am, 11am and midday at the House of Manannan.
Thirty Seven and Three Quarters is on display at the House of Manannan in Peel from 27 May to 25 June 2023. Open 9.30am to 4.30pm daily. The exhibition and gallery tours are free, but donations to the charity Manx National Heritage are welcome. More information can be found at www.manxnationalheritage.im/whats-on/
ENDS
About Rachael Clegg
Rachael Clegg is the daughter and granddaughter of Isle of Man TT racers Noel Clegg and Tom Clegg.
She attended art school and then studied art history as her BA and MA and was involved with Tate Liverpool for several years. Following Rachael’s work being featured on ITV’s television coverage of the Isle of Man TT, she has created advertising campaigns and art direct images for companies such as Ferodo, Champion spark plugs and SES Satellites Ltd.
Rachael has also produced an entire series of images to celebrate the history of the Nürburgring.
Lead image:
Milestone 32 (copyright Rachael Clegg)
Media contact:
Lynsey Clague
Communications Manager, Manx National Heritage
Tel: 01624 648032
E: lynsey.clague@mnh.im