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David Fletcher

Epithet: Artist (1948-2008)

Record type: Biographies

Biography: David Fletcher was born in Liverpool, in 1948. He studied at the Liverpool College of Art and the Royal College of Art - graduating in 1970. His early paintings are figurative and narrative in form, influenced by contemporary pop culture he saw around him - as well as Indian miniatures. His wife and fellow artist, Eileen Schaer, was also born in Liverpool.

The couple moved to the Isle of Man in 1975, living in Laxey with their two children. Here, Fletcher became the course leader for Art and Design at the Isle of Man College in 1977, keeping his post there for twenty-two years. Fletcher worked closely with fellow artist Norman Sayle, to encourage and teach young artists.

In the early 1980s, Fletcher became a founding member of the visual arts group Arts in Mann and is credited with the initial idea behind the travelling gallery bus which toured the island's towns and festivals for a number of years. From 1990-98 he served on the Isle of Man Arts Council and was a Trustee of Manx National Heritage from 1992-95, becoming responsible for a number of projects.

Fletcher’s work gained enough recognition to warrant solo shows at the Isle of Man College, the Courtyard Gallery, and the Manx Museum, as well as considerable acclaim further afield. He had considerable recognition as an artist in his own right and many of his paintings are in public and private collections. The artist's paintings have a spiritual and transcendental quality that reflected his lifelong interest in Eastern philosophy, meditation, poetry, and art. He exhibited twice in the National Portrait Gallery Portrait Awards and was a prize winner in 1983. In 2002, Fletcher won a competition held by Standard Bank for local artists; and was the overall prize winner for the Singer and Friedlander competition in 2003 with the painting ‘Sacred Isle’.

Fletcher died in Noble's Hospital in 2008 after a long illness and was remembered with a solo show at the Sayle Gallery in 2009. In 2022 a retrospective exhibition - ‘David Fletcher Paintings’ - was staged at the House of Manannan. This was curated by Manx National Heritage, alongside Fletcher’s wife, Eileen.

Gender: Male

Date of birth: 1948

Place of birth: Liverpool

Date of death: 2008

Place of death: Isle of Man

Name Variant: Fletcher, David, Mr

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Dave was an inspirational teacher and was responsible for getting me accepted into Wimbledon. A great person and a great teacher! - Mark Rees Report this

Dave was an inspirational teacher and was responsible for getting me accepted into Wimbledon. A great person and a great teacher! - Mark Rees Report this