The Sayle Gallery is taking part in the Bi-Annual UK Festival of Silk, which being hosted for the first time by The Isle of Man Guild of Silk Painters.
An exhibition there, which began on Friday and runs till September 22, includes work by local silk painters as well as those created by UK artists.
Mandy Southan – whose books include ‘Beginner’s Guide to Silk Painting ’ which is perhaps the best introduction to this art, as well as containing new techniques for more experienced silk painters – will be exhibiting some of her work at the Sayle Gallery, alongside works by, among others, Melinda Berkovitz and Anne Shelby, who will be exhibiting examples of Japanese technique of Shibori pleating.
Yvonne Bell, a member of the Milton Keynes Guild of Silk Painting, has been commissioned to create hand painted vestments for St German’s Cathedral in Peel and examples of her work will be display at St Thomas’s Church, Douglas and at the Sayle Gallery.
Margaret Dunning, chairman of the UK Guild. is exhibiting an ‘Underwater World’ silk painting to entice viewers to attend her workshop over the Festival creating a coral reef with shimmer paints.
Yvonne Bell, a member of the Milton Keynes Guild of Silk Painting, has been commissioned to create hand-painted vestments for St German’s Cathedral in Peel and examples of her work will be display at St Thomas’s Church, Douglas, and at the Sayle Gallery, which is situated on Harris Promenade in the capital.
Local artists taking part in the exhibition include Sayle Gallery artists Cas Powles and Myra Gilbert, the ‘Wearable Art’ Group, the Embroidery Group and the Manx Quilters along with silk painting members of the Isle of Man Art Society and the Mannin Art Group.
Organiser, and silk painter herself, Jean Buck said: ‘Although the actual festival lasts only a weekend, the two-week Sayle Gallery exhibition will provide a opportunity for anyone interested in silk painting to see what this art involves.
‘I can guarantee that the exhibition will be both beautiful and inspiring – and The Isle of Man Guild of Silk Painters is grateful to the Sayle Gallery for this opportunity to exhibit work from local artists, and from well-known off-Island silk painters whose stunning work really has to be seen close up to be appreciated.’
