Exhibitions & Events
What's on now
13 February - 28 March 13 February - 5 April
Ken Elias Claudia Williams 'Tryweryn Series'
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Claudia Williams RCA: Tryweryn Series
13th February – 5 April 2010
Claudia Williams moved to Wales with her family in 1946. She trained at Chelsea School of Art from 1950 to 1953. After Chelsea, she returned to Wales to marry Gwilym Prichard in 1954, and so begin a remarkable shared life of painting and homemaking, bringing up their four children and exhibiting. Claudia’s obvious love of the subject matter, allied with a rigorous eye for composition, her use of colour, and the quality of her draughtsmanship, all combine to produce paintings of great integrity. This exhibition is devoted to the events that took place in the small Welsh community at Capel Celyn near Bala in the late 50’s and on till 1965. Williams creates works with wide appeal while avoiding sentimentality.
Ken Elias RCA: part of a 40 Year Retrospective Exhibition
13th February – 28 March 2010
Ken Elias was born and still lives in the former mining village of Glynneath in the Neath valley. His paintings are autobiographical, like many writers and painters he has been compelled to comment upon his memories of childhood experience.
Elias’s paintings are consequently rich in symbolism and of deep personal significance. He employs objects and motifs that have a specific association with his family, community and their domestic circumstances in Glynneath. Palm-patterned wallpaper, the television set, Aunt Katy’s torch and grandmother’s semi-detached house are just some of the motifs that recur and link series of works exploring specific themes. Paper aeroplanes serve as visual metaphors for travel backwards to those halcyon days of a now vanished youth.
Elias delights in the juxtaposition of opposing elements; strong colours, light and shade, man-made and natural forms, the inside and outside world, the mundane reality of the front parlour and the glamour of the silver screen. Out of the darkness objects are illuminated or projected. His consistent use of black and white and a limited range of colours help reinforce the cinematic experience. www.welshdrawings.com