About
The final exhibition of the season at Rushen Heritage Centre celebrates the life and work of 'forgotten' artist Edward Ashton Cannell.
Cannell was born in 1927 in Port Erin and grew up in Port Erin and Port St Mary, studying at the Douglas School of Art under the influence of Archibald Knox. His contemporaries included Bryan Kneale, Norman Sayle, and Toni Onley.
One of Britain's last traditional landscape painters, after studying at Liverpool College of Art, Cannell returned to the Island and taught at Douglas School of Art, before moving to London where he was an art teacher at various schools, in addition to being a senior assessor for the Metropolitan Regional Examinations Board.
Cannell became a full-time painter in 1973, with a focus on maritime watercolours, and carried out commissions for British Petroleum, Bass International, Foyles and Cassells. He exhibited his work at the Royal Academy of Arts, Linda Blackstone Gallery in Pinner, Archer Gallery and Paris Salon.
'Edward Ashton Cannell: A Manxman and his Art' has been curated by Christa Viohl, a long-time volunteer with Rushen Heritage Trust.
Rushen Heritage Centre is open 10.00am-4.00pm Tuesday to Saturday, and entry is free (donations are always welcome!).
