Summer Exhibition / Arddangosfa Haf: Mixed show by all our Artists / Sioe Gymysg gan ein holl Artistiaid

 Eleri Mills lives and works in rural Mid Wales, where she was born and raised.  She has exhibited worldwide, and her work is in numerous national collections including the National Library of Wales. The Machynlleth Tabernacle Trust awarded her The Glyndwr Medal in 2023 for her outstanding contribution to the arts in Wales.  Her paintings depict a vision of Wales that is multi layered, highly personal, and timeless.  Influenced by bardic traditions, her landscapes have a dreamlike quality, rich in history and the mythology and spirit of a place.  There is a balance, rhythm and tempo to her work, akin to a musician performing or a poet composing a cynghanedd. Eleri’s paintings have a distinct colour palate of ochre, burnt orange, ultramarine and violet – inspiration she attributes to the Welsh painter James Dickson Innes. 'Llefydd Fwyll y Galon / Wild Places of the Heart I & II' (one of which is illustrated above) are inspired by the work of the great 18th century painters and their romantic interpretations of the Welsh landscape - people like Richard Wilson, Thomas Jones Pencerrig, Edward Pugh, and Samuel and Nathaniel Buck. We are thrilled to be featuring a selection of her stunning quiet, narrative work in this our first Summer Show.

Harry Holland almost needs no introduction; he is widely regarded as one of Britain’s finest figurative artists. Born in Glasgow and trained at St. Martin’s School of Art, London, he has been based in Cardiff since 1973. His works often feature enigmatic figures and have a sense of introspection. His paintings invite the viewer to explore layers of meaning and emotion. We are delighted to feature work from Harry in this summer show, including a series of doorways and still lives amongst his more well-known figurative work. His series of door paintings are a captivating exploration of thresholds, both literal and metaphorical. The doors become symbols of mystery, transition, and hidden narratives. Holland’s meticulous attention to detail and play of light creates an atmosphere that invites the viewer to imagine the stories behind these portals. Each painting beckons us to consider what lies beyond, making the ordinary extraordinary.

We are delighted to introduce Annette Marie Townsend to the gallery. Annette is a Welsh interdisciplinary artist specialising in the field of Natural History.  After graduating with a BA (Hons) Design she was employed by Amgueddfa Cymru / National Museum Wales as a Scientific Artist. Her career at the museum extended over 20 years producing illustrations for academic publications, three-dimensional models and dioramas for gallery display.  Annette now works as an independent artist from her urban garden studio in Roath, Cardiff. She creates artwork inspired by the natural world which expresses a fascination with intricate detail, realism and beauty. We are thrilled to exhibit Annette’s stunning work throughout the summer exhibition.

Please see below a small selection of the work in the exhibition - follow the Artist link above.