When I visited on two days last week -Thursday and Saturday - I was the only visitor for an hour or so. This is hardly surprising if the exhibitions aren't promoted.
The first exhibition is "Forced journeys: Artists in Exile 1933-1945" . The exhibition celebrates the work of artists fleeing from Nazi tyranny in Austria and Germany in the 1930s. These artists arrived in Britain and when hostilities started they were interned - many on the Isle of Man - for the duration of the war. There are over 100 works and other items including paintings some ceramics, letters and other artefacts.
A better link with some of the artworks shown is here to the Ben Uri Gallery in London which previously hosted the exhibition and which is also co-organising the visit to the Williamson. http://www.benuri.org.uk/ForcedJourneys09.htm
A second exhibition is of "Stick and Cane". This is a great little exhibition - also terribly underpromoted - of sticks and canes used by important people throughout the ages. It sounds a bit dull - actually I thought it fascinating.
When primitive man first stood erect it was probably with the aid of a stick which might also have become a cudgel. It was the first weapon to fight off animals and no doubt the strongest, most virile man had the biggest, best or fanciest stick. Soon the stick itself became the symbol of power or badge of office. This exhibition has a few hundred examples from a very small and elegant 'stiletto' sword stick to one made from a shark's backbone.
There are ebony, glass, jade and many metal clad sticks with more or less ornate handles. It is well worth an hour of your time. Sad that the Council can put on these little exhibitions but then doesn't tell us about them. Tell your friends - it is worth a visit.
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