Three student artists of the Isle of Man College have had their work recognised in a prestigious competition.
Aalish Leece, Rebekah Corlett and Klaudia Sciana each won cash prizes of £100 in the annual Norman Sayle Prize for Art competition ran by the Archibald Knox Society and sponsored by Isle of Man Post Office. Aalish, 18, secured the prize for the first year National Diploma award – overall body of work, Rebekah, 18, won the category for the overall Knox/Sayle prize for Manx inspired artwork and Klaudia, 19, clinched the prize for the Knox/Sayle future prize for innovative work.
Commenting on her award Aalish Leece said:
"It feels absolutely fantastic to have won and I feel really honoured. I worked as hard as I could and it's great to have my work recognised in this way."
Rebekah Corlett said winning came as a complete surprise.
"I never expected to win and I'm delighted. At times it's been a lot of hard work during the year but it's definitely been worth it" she said.
Meanwhile Klaudia Sciana was equally delighted with her award and said:
"I couldn't believe it when I heard my name as a winner – what a total surprise. I am so pleased."
The work of all three artists impressed the panel of artistic judges who were Carola Rush, Audrey Brown and Erin Hudson, a former fine art graduate of Leeds University who was representing her employer and the competition's sponsor Isle of Man Post Office.
The competition attracted an encouraging number of entries from students on the First Year National course and they were judged on a body of work which included in its research phase an in-depth look at the art of both renowned Manx artists Archibald Knox and Norman Sayle.
Venerable Brian Partington OBE, Board Member of Isle of Man Post Office presented the awards to the three outstanding students along with Liam O'Neill, Founder of the Archibald Knox Society.
Brian said:
"Archibald Knox and Norman Sayle are two of the greatest inspirations for Manx artists today and as gifted teachers loved to work with young people. It is fitting for the students' work to be linked with them in the hope that they will grow as artists as Knox and Sayle did. It is appropriate for this award to be sponsored by Isle of Man Post Office as we benefit so much from the work of artists in the design of our wonderful stamps."
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