The Speaker of the House of the House of Keys, the Hon Juan Watterson SHK, has said that to have had his portrait painted in his role as Speaker was ‘a hugely proud moment’.

Mr Speaker made the comment at the unveiling of the portrait on Friday October 21 in the Barrool Suite of the Legislative Buildings where he was joined by members of his family, portrait artist Andrew Tift and his wife Anne, Members of Tynwald and former Speakers Steve Rodan OBE and Tony Brown OBE. 

Mr Speaker said it was ‘a privilege’ to have sat for the portrait. He went on to praise Mr Tift for the time, effort and ‘phenomenal attention to detail’ he had devoted to the portrait’s creation, which had begun in February 2020 and saw the artist take more than 500 photographs from which to work during lockdown.

The portrait resonated with Mr Speaker on both a personal and professional level. He explained: ‘I believe that to have come from a public sector housing background and then to go on to be elected by your peers twice to the position of Speaker of the House of Keys is testimony to the level of social mobility we enjoy in the Isle of Man.’ He said that the portrait not only reflected the tradition of the office of Speaker, which dated from 1758, but also celebrated the history and continuity of Tynwald. He remarked on the skill with which Mr Tift had depicted the stained-glass windows in the House of Keys and the personal references chosen for inclusion in the carvings of the Speaker’s chair: ‘2016’ – the year he was first elected Speaker of the House of Keys, together with symbols of his enduring links with other organisations. In closing, Mr Speaker said that figures including British politician Anthony Wedgewood Benn, comedian Eric Sykes and a former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, had sat for Mr Tift who, when tasked with painting his portrait, ‘had to work miracles with some really dodgy material’.

Mr Tift said that the sitting with (‘a very patient’) Mr Speaker had revealed a ‘deeply committed and proud Manxman’ whose sense of duty and humour he had been eager to capture. ‘I was delighted with the context for the painting - the House of Keys setting, the history, the symbolism, the continuity of Tynwald, the fantastic lighting - and I wanted to make a particular feature of the Speaker’s chair. It all came together very harmoniously and it has been a privilege to have been able to contribute to Tynwald’s series of Speakers’ portraits.’

Ahead of the unveiling, groups of art students from Ramsey Grammar School and Castle Rushen High School were given a conducted tour of the Chambers that focused on portraits of former presiding officers. Head of art at Ramsey Grammar School Martin Harrison said: ‘The students are currently working on a self-portraiture project, so to be able to visit Tynwald, see so many portraits and meet such a celebrated artist was a unique opportunity for them.’

Ramsey Grammar School student Louisa Boyes said: ‘It was really exciting to see the Speaker’s portrait and to get to meet a “real” artist. The way he’s painted the Speaker’s face and hands is amazing. It’s been an inspiring visit’.

After the unveiling, Mr Tift had agreed to deliver a talk to the students on portraiture, prompting Ramsey Grammar School art teacher Wendy Johnson to say: ‘To have access to the artist and see the work he’s created has been very special. Then to be able to learn from the artist about technique will be an experience the students will never have had before and will form part of their course work. We’re so very grateful to Tynwald for extending this fantastic opportunity to us.’ 

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Notes for Editors

The payment made to the artist for the portrait of Speaker Watterson was £6800, consisting of £6500 in fees and £300 in expenses. This followed an open procurement process. The expenditure was authorised by the Tynwald Management Committee. Mr Speaker recused himself from the Committee when the procurement and the expenditure were being considered.

A further £380 was spent on getting the portrait from Mr Tift’s studio to the Island.

For further information contact:

Joann Corkish
Deputy Clerk of Tynwald
Legislative Buildings
Douglas IM1 3PW
Tel: 01624 685511
j.corkish@tynwald.org.im​