Volunteer-run museum wins sculptor's praise

Museum Director Ivor Ramsden (left) has welcomed Michael Sandle's (centre left) donation

A volunteer-run military museum on the Isle of Man is a "national treasure" that deserves wider recognition, a renowned sculptor has said.

Michael Sandle RA visited the Manx Aviation and Military Museum at Ronaldsway last week after donating four of his prints to the site.

He said he "loved" the way the museum presented "untold wartime stories".

Museum director Ivor Ramsden said he was "stunned" when Mr Sandle offered to donate his works.

The four etchings, which feature themes of conflict, were handed to the museum and turned into its first exhibition of art earlier this year.

New display

Three of the prints have come from Mr Sandle's "WW1 Ghosts" series, while the fourth is titled "IDF pilot".

The museum was opened in 2000 and features collections of wartime memorabilia focused on the island's military and aviation history.

Mr Sandle said it was "no wonder" the museum was "so highly regarded by its visitors" during a trip to see his works on display last week.

Mr Ramsden said it was an "honour" to display artworks, which were aimed at provoking "deep thoughts and emotion in the viewer".

The sculptor's attitude to war was "very similar to mine" in telling the "stories of war", he added.