An art collection featuring some of the most instantly-recognisable names in modern art is to go on display.

A selection of pictures from the Isle of Man Art’s Council’s Contemporary and Modern art loan collection, which numbers more than 400 valuable works of art, will be hung in the Sayle Gallery over the month of July.

Marking 25 years since the collection began, the display will feature original paintings or valuable, limited edition prints from the likes of David Hockney, Pablo Picasso, Peter Blake, Damien Hirst, Ralph Steadman and Craig Aitcheson, alongside those of some of the more well-known, home-grown artists.

Martyn Cain, arts development officer with the Isle of Man Arts Council, said that he felt it was important that people knew that these paintings were kept in the island, and that the public get the chance to see these works of art.

The Arts Council started the loan collection in 1993,’ said Martyn.

’It was based around the idea that most people on the island wouldn’t get the chance to see to see these paintings. A lot of people, for example, would never get the chance to get up close to a Picasso in real life.’

The collection was started by the late David Fletcher, whose work is also featured in the collection, alongside that of Eileen Schaer.

’They put a lot of it into schools, and if there was a particular class learning about a specific artist, they would be able to say "here’s an example of David Hockney"’, said Martyn.

’Also, we have this collection of world famous artists and household names next to around five local artists,’ he said.

’We have some original pieces from Ian Coulson here, which are the newest paintings in the collection, and we also some Brian Kneale and Michael Sandle pieces. They are both Royal Academy artists, and Michael is also the patron of the Sayle Gallery.

’The whole point of this exhibition is that it’s the first time the council have exhibited all these big names together, and it is more to say "did you know all these pictures were here on the island".’

The exhibition opens with a preview night on Friday, and the exhibition is open to the public on Saturday, for the whole of July.

There are plans to have the works of art on display elsewhere during the next year.