Stephen Young 1946-2025

Stephen Young was one of Wales's most distinctive painters. Born in Godalming, Surrey, he studied at Guildford School of Art and later Chelsea School of Art. He graduated with first class honours in painting and after a year of postgraduate study and a period as artist-in-residence at Sussex University, he moved to Cardiff, which became his home and the centre of his professional life. He worked at Cardiff College of Art, eventually becoming Director of the BA in Fine Art course at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff. He remained a committed painter throughout, his work ranging from the abstracts in his early years to his later unique theatrical narrative style - richly layered compositions in which figures and landscapes combine to create works of striking emotional and visual complexity. 

Stephen exhibited widely in public and private galleries in the UK, among them John Moores in Liverpool, and The Hayward Gallery and The Serpentine Gallery in London. He also exhibited in Spain, where he developed lasting connections. His work has been placed in numerous public collections including the Arts Council of Wales, South Wales Arts, South Glamorgan County Council and in private collections worldwide. He was also a National Eisteddfod prize winner, a distinction that reflected the quality of his paintings.