Isle of Man: 60 Portraits Celebrate 60+ in Laxey
An eight-month, inter-generational art project in Laxey, Isle of Man, presents 60 portraits of people aged 60 and over, created by 25 artists and 30 schoolchildren.
A unique art project on the Isle of Man shines a spotlight on people aged 60 and over. The Laxey exhibition gathers 60 portraits created by 25 artists and 30 schoolchildren over eight months.
The concept and display
The show, titled 60 over 60 Faces of Mann, features a mix of paintings, drawings, glasswork and ceramics, celebrating a wide cross-section of the Manx community—from artists and musicians to farmers and charity workers. It is on show at the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey until late January.
The idea came from Debra Tracey, who wants to remind people that aging brings value and that wrinkles are a privilege. She notes that in local culture older people can feel invisible, which is why the project centers those aged 60 and over.
Tracey describes the project as inter-generational, aimed at fostering mutual respect between generations. She has long worked with older adults in education and care settings and finds them endlessly fascinating.
Some portraits depict living sitters, while others remember those who have died. Notable subjects include Bill Dale, founder of Beach Buddies, illustrator Julia Ashby Smyth, and Captain John Kewley, known for rescuing people from the Snaefell Mine after a 1897 fire.
The project involved school visits where children met sitters as they worked on their portraits, adding a collaborative dimension to the artwork.
Exhibition runs through January at Hodgson Loom Gallery, Laxey.
Expert view
Art educators say the project bridges generations and highlights the value of older adults in society. The work invites audiences to rethink aging as a natural, honoured phase of life.
Summary
The 60 over 60 Faces of Mann exhibit brings together 60 portraits across media, created by a diverse team of artists and schoolchildren. It champions aging, inter-generational learning, and community pride on the Isle of Man. Visitors can see the show at the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey until late January.
Key insight: Art that centers older people can strengthen community ties and reframe aging as a valued stage of life. Source: BBC News