Three colourful works of art have been installed along the banks of a river in the south of the island, as part of ongoing works to create an arts trail.

The triptych of sculptures have been created by artist Jill Gillings and have been placed in an area between Ballasalla and Silverdale, known locally as the ’lilyponds’.

Each piece is created out of a large, 12-foot piece of larch wood and features an eye-catching multi-coloured glass pattern.

Each piece has been placed on two islands in the lilypond and have been carefully designed to reflect and complement the surrounding environment.

’They are made out of larch wood, which weathers lovely and will eventually blend right into the countryside around them,’ said Jill.

’They are very new looking at the moment and, in fact, my husband said they look a little brash, as they are so bright.

’However, the wood will eventually fade and the plants round will grow a little higher and they will blend in nicely with their surroundings.

’I have one piece with mainly blue glass that reflects the water around it really nicely, and another has colours that reflect the colour of the rhododendron flowers around it.

’I had three 12-foot slabs of larch wood felled and delivered to me which ended dominating my house for quite a while, with one on the conservatory, where I work, and two lying across my front room. They took over my life for quite some time.

’The funny thing about working on these pieces is that I have to work on them horizontally, as they are far too big and heavy to create while they are standing up. That means I never really seen the pieces properly until they were finished.

’I definitely didn’t get to see these in a finished state until they were placed in situ and it was quite a pleasant surprise to see how the colours in the glass reflected and reacted with everything else around them.’

The pieces are the latest large-scale art installations to have been added to the art trail that is being developed by the Creative Arts Network along the Silverburn River.

They were originally to be installed to coincide with Open Art trail which takes place during the May bank holiday weekend, but had to be delayed along with other planned developments, which have been put back until 2021.

There are two large scale mosaics, one made by adults alongside artist, Debra Tracey-Carney, which is due to be sited at Ballasalla railway station and another made by children alongside artist, Elaine Edge, which the organisers hope to site at Silverdale.

The arts network are also hoping to site a permanent sculpture, created by two prominent Manx artists on Castletown harbour.

Jill’s artwork has been sponsored by the local firm Hartford Homes, with Manx Marvel Gardens supplying the wood.

’When I developed my ideas, I approached Hartford Homes and asked if they would support me, which they did,’ said Jill.

’It wouldn’t have happened otherwise, and I am especially glad that they were willing to get involved and support the arts in the Isle of Man.’

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers