A new location has been proposed for Bryan Kneale’s sculpture Eelips after objections to the initial site.
The 8.2 ft (2.5m) artwork, initially planned for placement in front of the Niarbyl cafe overlooking the cliffs and bay, will now be situated at the Tynwald National Park and Arboretum in St John’s.
This change follows a public consultation held in February.
The sculpture is expected to be unveiled in mid-2025 and will cost approximately £97,000, with £60,000 coming from the Isle of Man Arts Council through a lottery-funded grant.
Additional funding will be provided by the Frampton Fund, Culture Vannin, and the Kneale family.
Bryan Kneale, a renowned Manx sculptor born in Douglas in 1930, has works displayed in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Tate and the New York Museum of Modern Art.
Known for creating the Three Legs of Mann sculpture at Isle of Man Airport, Kneale, now 94, intends Eelips to be his final sculpture and a realization of his long-held ambition to install art in the Manx landscape.
The sculpture will be made from duplex stainless steel, with its height inspired by ancient cross stones found on the island.
Kate Kneale, the sculptor’s daughter, expressed excitement about the positive feedback during the consultation and said that the new location at the National Arboretum perfectly responds to the community’s wishes.
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