Isle of Man Post Office issues Forced Journeys commemorative stamps

27th Sept 2010

For the first time a Museum exhibition has been the impetus for a full set of commemorative stamps to be issued, featuring artworks from the exhibition itself.

Ben Uri Gallery, The London Jewish Museum of Art, is thrilled that the Isle of Man Post Office have launched six stamps to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the opening of internment camps on the Isle of Man in summer 1940. The issue is inspired by the Ben Uri's Forced Journey's touring exhibition from 2009, originally designed in conjunction with a new MA module 'Artists in Exile in Britain 1933 -45' at the Courtauld Institute, London, which focused primarily on artists who, for political, racial or religious reasons, were compelled to flee to Britain from Nazi oppression.

To mark the Isle of Man anniversary, and to reflect the exhibition's new location in Douglas, it was extensively reconceived and re-curated by Ben Uri curators Rachel Dickson and Sarah MacDougall. The revised exhibition highlighted a number of artists interned at Hutchinson Square, the so-called 'artists' 'camp', and at Onchan camp, its less celebrated neighbour - and it is these artists, and others interned elsewhere on the Isle of Man who are celebrated in this visually striking set.

The three images taken from the exhibition are:

1 Kurt Schwitters, Portrait of Klaus E Hinrichsen, 1941, oil on board, Private Collection (cat 69, illus p. 33)Perhaps the most famous of the artist internees, Kurt Schwitters (German, 1887-1948), was founder of Merz, his own singular response to the Dada art movement. Although Schwitters made some Dada-inspired sculpture (including from porridge) and collage in internment, his greatest output during this period was a significant number of brilliant, academic portraits of fellow internees, often notable artists or professionals from other fields. Although Schwitters usually charged a fee, this remarkable portrait of camp impresario, the art historian, Klaus E Hinrichsen, was painted gratis in gratitude for Hinrichsen’s efforts towards promoting the camp university and wider cultural life in Hutchinson Square.

2 Hermann Fechenbach, Douglas, Isle of Man, 1941, hand-coloured linocut on paper, Private Collection (cat 24, illus. p. 25)The painter and printmaker, Herman Fechenbach (German, 1897–1986), a war veteran, arrived penniless in England in May 1939. Interned initially at Wharf Mill - the most notorious transit camp - Fechenbach organised a hunger strike in protest and was briefly imprisoned in Liverpool, before being transferred to Hutchinson. At Hutchinson’s 2nd Art Exhibition he showed a number of linocuts which evolved into the series ‘My Impressions as Refugee’ (completed 1946), which drew on his traumatic experiences. Although Fechenbach’s internment work is dominated by barbed wire, his hand-coloured linocut, Douglas,Isle of Man, bathed in golden light with birds soaring upwards, reveals a rare moment of tranquility and optimism.

3 Ernst Eisenmayer, Violinist, 1941, pen and ink on paper, Private CollectionArriving in England as a young émigré, only recently released from Dachau, the future painter and sculptor Ernst Eisenmayer (Austrian, b. 1920), was interned in a number of camps, including Onchan, where he contributed sketches to the internal magazines. This fine ink portrait is of an anonymous violinist in Onchan Camp. The virtuoso violin player Peter Schidlof was also interned in Onchan, where the internationally renowned Amadeus Quartet, was first formed.

The other three images are from artwork held by the Manx National Heritage and feature scenes of Peel Bay by Herbert Kaden (interned in Peveril Camp) and Douglas Promenade by Imre Goth (interned in Palace Camp) as well as a cartoon of a three legged Manx postman by Bertram (interned in Onchan).

David Glasser, Co-chairman of the Ben Uri Gallery, commenting on the exhibition and the resulting internment stamp issue said: “The Ben Uri has been delighted to partner with the Sayle Gallery in Douglas to mark the importance of the 70th Anniversary of WW2 interment on the Isle of Man, and it is now wholly fitting that a series of stamps should be issued to provide a permanent testament to the experience of the artist internees, both those known and those who remain anonymous.”

Dot Tilbury, Stamps and Coins Manager, Isle of Man Post Office says: "The Isle of Man was thrilled to have an exhibition of this stature come to our shores which has proved hugely popular with residents and tourists alike. The interment camps formed a huge part of history on the Island and the Ben Uri Gallery’s ‘Forced Journeys’ has captured the very essence of the culture which developed. As a result of the exhibition, the Isle of Man Post Office was inspired to bring out this set of stamps, approved by Her Majesty the Queen, and which features the most prestigious artists. We are greatly indebted to the Ben Uri for their tireless assistance."

Further information

Cost of stamps: £4.97 per mint set of six, First Day Cover £5.67, Presentation pack £5.72
Available to purchase from: www.iomstamps.com
For more information contact: saylegallery@manx.net