Celebrating Isle of Man’s 60+ Legends: Art, Sharks, and Coronation Gifts!

The 60 over 60 Faces of Mann Exhibition is a unique event taking place on the Isle of Man, celebrating the lives and achievements of people over the age of 60. Among the 60 individuals featured is Graham Hall, whose portrait stands out in the display. The portrait, crafted from glass, captures Graham’s gentle smile and the way light reflects off the glass onto the wall behind him. Graham is well-known on the island for his kindness and his many contributions to the community. Originally from Northumberland, Graham moved to the Isle of Man in 2000. In 2004, he and his wife Jackie founded Manx Basking Shark Watch, a group dedicated to protecting basking sharks around the island. Their work included tagging sharks to help scientists learn more about these mysterious creatures. Thanks to their efforts, researchers now have a better understanding of basking sharks and how to protect them. In 2022, Graham and Jackie retired, and now Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch continues their work by recording public sightings of these animals.

Graham is also a talented woodworker. In 2023, he was asked to create a special wooden bowl as a coronation gift for King Charles. The bowl was carefully handcrafted and decorated with two peregrine falcons made from recycled silver, a nod to an old Manx tradition of giving falcons to a new English king. Graham said it was an honor to make the bowl, though it took a lot of effort to finish. Besides his work with wildlife and woodcraft, Graham helped start Men in Sheds, a group that brings men together to fight loneliness. He believes that as people get older, they can sometimes feel invisible, and he appreciates the exhibition for highlighting the stories of older people who have made a difference. Graham also runs Grenaby Studios in Ballabeg, where he continues his creative work. He thinks art is important because it helps record history and keeps memories alive.

Another person featured in the exhibition is Sean Crerand, a surgeon who moved to the Isle of Man from Dublin about 40 years ago. Sean has worked at Noble’s Hospital for decades, treating many generations of Manx people. He was nominated for the exhibition by a fellow doctor and was pleased to be chosen. The artist who painted his portrait, Martin Vaughan, was once one of Sean’s patients. Sean recently had a tough year after a bicycle accident left him in the hospital for several months, but he is slowly returning to work. He was happy with how his portrait turned out and enjoyed seeing it at the exhibition. Martin Vaughan said he was honored to paint Sean, describing him as a professional and caring doctor who made a big impact on his patients. The 60 over 60 Faces of Mann Exhibition is open at the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey until the end of January, celebrating the stories and achievements of older people on the Isle of Man.