CULTURE
Balance by Rob Jones
Sandle is Patron of the Sayle Gallery in Douglas and is a vocal supporter of its efforts to promote contemporary art in the Isle of Man. This month’s exhibition at the Sayle of work by sculptor Rob Jones is, he says, an example of exactly the sort of work the Gallery should be showing, alongside similarly cutting-edge artists from off the Island. But Sandle sees the Island as culturally deprived:
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Study for The Suicide XII, 1994, Ink and wash (c) Michael Sandle, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery London and New York
“It breaks my heart to see how insular it has become, constantly looking inwards and unable, or unwilling, to provide even a temporary home for touring exhibitions of outstanding art by exceptional artists,” he says. “If the Sayle Gallery was able to concentrate being a proper contemporary art gallery instead of a shop that would be a start. With better financial support and government backing, I truly believe the Sayle Gallery could be a cultural beacon for everyone in the Island.” Wishful thinking perhaps, but Michael Sandle RA is not a man easily ignored. An often outspoken, sometimes irascible, but always passionate artist, and a true supporter of art in the Isle of Man.
Happy 80th birthday Michael.
BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS
The Suicide or He took the A train, 1995-99, Bronze (c) Michael Sandle, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery London and New York
(More information on Michael Sandle, and his works, can be found at flowersgallery.com – which also includes a filmed conversation with Tim Marlow, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy. There are a number of films on YouTube, including a 2015 interview with Anita Hogarth as part of a series of ‘Artists’ Studios’ for the Isle of Man Arts Council)
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