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Isle of Man College pays tribute to Norman Sayle 18 September 2007 The Principal of the Isle of Man College has paid tribute today to retired lecturer and renowned artist Norman Sayle, who has died at the age of 80. In a bulletin to staff, Dr Ian Killip says: 'Norman trained at Goldsmith’s College, School of Art, and commenced his teaching career in 1954 as an Assistant Lecturer at the School of Technology, Arts and Crafts, in Kensington Road, Douglas, the forerunner of the Isle of Man College.' The 1961-62 prospectus shows Norman as one of only six full-time teachers at the College, says Dr Killip. He moved with the College to its present site, latterly becoming Head of the Art Faculty. 'In the years preceding his retirement, he felt it was important to fight for the human and cultural aspects of teaching and learning, and to avoid being too process-driven which led, apparently, to some interesting meetings,' adds Dr Killip. 'After 35 years at the College, Norman retired in 1989 when he achieved his true creative potential. An avid disciple of Archibald Knox, he developed his own style inspired by Knox’s work and his paintings became highly sought after. 'He was immensely proud to have been granted membership of the Royal Institute and was one of the handful of Manx painters entitled to use the letters “RI” after his name. A measure of his success as an artist is demonstrated by a comment he made to me recently – that he made more from the sale of his first painting after retirement than he had from two evenings of overtime per week during his last year of teaching! 'At a more formal level of recognition, he was recently made the first recipient of the Tynwald Medal of Honour for his outstanding contribution to Manx society which was presented to him in hospital last week by the President of Tynwald.' Dr Killip concludes: 'Norman enthusiastically maintained his links with his College colleagues and took pride in the development as recognised artists and exhibitors of some of his former colleagues and students from the College including Cas Powles, David Fletcher and Eileen Schaar. 'Norman Sayle will be sadly missed by his friends and former colleagues, though he will be remembered through his inspired and inspiring paintings and as a true friend of the College.' More stories >>>
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