Sir Kyffin Williams RA

Sir Kyffin has campaigned for over forty years for the establishment of a gallery to display 'Welsh art.' He says that gallery should feature works from the time of Richard Wilson (born 1713), to around 1950. From 1950 on, he says, "no-one knows what art is."
Sir Kyffin, in the article in the Western Mail (21st May 2002), went on to say, "We call ourselves a nation and yet there is no room in the whole of Wales for art. I have always felt very strongly about it but the trouble is the people of Wales have not felt strongly about it - if they did there would be a gallery for Welsh art."

Michael Tooby, director of the National Gallery in Cardiff will also speak at the debate, along with artist Shani Rhys James (Australian by birth) and David Alston (galleries director at the Lowry).

Debate at the Oriel Mostyn Gallery this evening (21st May 2002)

OPINION:
"What's happened to skill?"
I agree with a great deal of what Sir Kyffin says. He is genuinely concerned with the development of art in Wales, and he feels he has good reason to believe that the people in Wales don't care for art. However, from our experience with this site, it is apparent that a great number of people do actually have an interest in art in Wales. Perhaps it is just that it doesn't figure high enough in the list of priorities at this time of international political turmoil?

Art in Wales will inevitably mirror the trends in London and other major centres around the globe. This is why installation and 'cutting edge' work is courted by the major galleries and the skill of the painter falls some way behind.

I see art as something loosely akin to the football league. The premier division hosts players with huge salaries, whilst the lower divisions can only support semiprofessionals. Unfortunately, very few artists of ability reach the lofty heights of the premiership. Unlike the football league however, it is not always necessary to have high levels of skill within the art world to succeed. You just have to be able to play the game well.

I believe there is room for all. It is refreshing to get an insight to the workings of the mind of other artists. But there should always be room for skill. To announce that you paint landscapes is the kiss of death for your career within 'high art' circles. But to ignore the importance of landscape painting would be to turn your back on the history of art. Art develops with time and 'the new' will always be exciting and refreshing. But I just hope that the public will continue to support the artists they love. Without this support all art will simply die.

Perhaps it's time we all became more proactive and begin to market ourselves in the fashion of Damien Hurst and the Y.B.A's? We all know that the public do appreciate skill, just look at the work being sold through our privately run galleries. If you get a chance please visit the Attic in Swansea, the Albany and Martin Tinney Gallery in Cardiff and you'll see what I mean.
(Ed).

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT GWYNETH JONES OR GILL BURTWELL AT THE ROYAL CAMBRIAN ACADEMY;

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AM FWY O FANYLION CYSYLLTWCH A GWYNETH JONES NEU GILL BURTWELL AR ACADEMI FRENHINOL GYMREIG