“The Dancers” by John Mulvey
A new original sculpture has been unveiled on Harris Promenade, Douglas on Thursday 23rd September 2021.
Commissioned by the Isle of Man Arts Council for £47,023.60 and situated outside the Gaiety Theatre, the sculpture sits within the Cultural Area which also features artistic paving depicting the Manx National Anthem “O Land of Our Birth” and the poem “When Childher Plays” from “Betsy Lee” by the Manx National Poet T.E. Brown, celebrating Manx creativity and the arts.
The bronze sculpture, depicting two dancing figures, has been created by local resident, internationally renowned and award winning sculptor John Mulvey. The sculpture is also part of the Isle of Man Arts Council Modern and Contemporary Art Loan Collection and will feature in the Isle of Man Arts Council’s new “Ellyn” Manx contemporary art book and exhibition, which opens on Friday 24th September at the Villa Marina Arcade.
Chair of the Isle of Man Arts Council, Mrs. Marlene Maska MLC said: “Having viewed the outstanding quality of John Mulvey’s work, Isle of Man Arts Council were unanimous in their decision to commission a unique sculpture to capture the spirit of the new Cultural Area. We have been delighted to see the emerging work and feel sure this positive view will resonate with our Island community.”
Arts Development Manager, Jane Corkill said: “The sculpture represents all dancing, in particular all the thousands of people who have danced at the Gaiety Theatre and the Villa Marina in the last 120 years– as performers, as competitors, as audiences at concerts. We have couples who contact us telling us they met at a tea dance at the Villa 60 years ago, and we will keep on dancing here so it is a timeless representation of dancing, past, present and future.”
The Cultural Area of the Douglas promenade refurbishment encompasses the Gaiety Theatre, Villa Marina Arcade and Villa Marina and will be the beating heart of the Island’s arts and culture scene, creating a new shared community space that will help to showcase the Island’s arts and culture offering for visitors whilst inspiring residents and the next generation of artists and performers.
The Isle of Man Arts Council is a sponsored body of the Department of Education, Sport & Culture and funding is derived from income from the sales of lottery tickets. One of the functions of the Isle of Man Arts Council is the acquisition of articles of artistic merit, and the new sculpture was commissioned from this existing budget.
John Mulvey
John Mulvey is a self-taught sculptor. On leaving school he served an apprenticeship and worked for several years as a sheet metal worker. John believes his geometric training during these years has influenced his work. It has helped him to achieve the essence of his subject with a simplicity of form and an economy of line. Hence, the works have no human features – they represent, in this case, all dancers. In his work, John strives always to achieve joy and movement.
John has exhibited extensively in the UK in municipal and private galleries and also in Europe and America. His work is included in private collections all over the world and commissions have included work for Rolls Royce, The Paratroop Regiment, RHS Rosemoor, the UK Lottery and Dolwen Gardens.
Resident in the Isle of Man during the 60s, John has now returned to the Island with his wife, Mary. His works can also be viewed in the Milntown Gardens.
The Isle of Man Arts Council Modern and Contemporary Loan Collection
The Isle of Man Arts Council Modern and Contemporary Loan Collection was the concept of artist and then Council member, David Fletcher. The collection was created in 1993 as an educational tool for the island’s schools and to give the Manx public the opportunity to see works by world renowned artists.
After the 25th anniversary in 2018, the Loan Collection has seen a large increase in engagement with works appearing in offices around the island and each school across the island displaying multiple pieces. Specialist exhibitions being curated at the Villa Marina in this time include a teacher and student show, displaying a history of art education on the Island, a large exhibition at the Sayle Gallery and a David Hockney exhibition to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Royal Academy of Arts.
Over the past 25 years the collection has grown to nearly 400 pieces and includes works by David Hockney, Anthony Gormley, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Pablo Picasso as well as notable Manx artists including Michael Sandle, Kevin Atherton, Ian Coulson, Mary Cousins and Eileen Schaer.
Many public sculptures that are on permanent loan are also included in the Loan Collection such as the RNLI Memorial on Douglas Promenade, “The Viking” at the Erin Arts Centre and “The Dancers” outside the Gaiety Theatre.
