News & Events
SPRING 2024
The Big Picture - Exhibition & Lecture
Sunday, 28th July 2013
One of William Parry's celebrated portraits of his father, the blind harpist John Parry (c. 1710-1782), can be seen at the Plas Glyn y Weddw gallery at Llanbedrog, Caernarfonshire, until 30th September. The picture is the first in a rolling exhibition of images which are central to themes of Welsh identity and history.
I will be giving an illustrated lecture about the life and work of William Parry A.R.A (1742-1791) at 2 p.m on Saturday 14th September at the Plas.
For further information please click here
I will be giving an illustrated lecture about the life and work of William Parry A.R.A (1742-1791) at 2 p.m on Saturday 14th September at the Plas.
For further information please click here
New Book by Peter Lord
Tuesday, 11th June 2013
Just published - the 'oblique autobiography' of Wales's foremost art historian Peter Lord. Each chapter is based on a photograph or painting which has particular resonance for the author both as a work of art and also as a signpost on his journey through a life dedicated to revealing the true history of the visual culture of Wales.
Characteristically though-provoking, critical and forthright, 'Relationships with Pictures' is a highly stimulating read. Peter's personal relationships with artists, critics, curators and his adopted country reveal much about the complex interactions and tensions of language, art and national heritage.
To read an interview about this book, given by the author to BBC Wales, please click here
For details of how to order, please click here
Characteristically though-provoking, critical and forthright, 'Relationships with Pictures' is a highly stimulating read. Peter's personal relationships with artists, critics, curators and his adopted country reveal much about the complex interactions and tensions of language, art and national heritage.
To read an interview about this book, given by the author to BBC Wales, please click here
For details of how to order, please click here
New Year 2013
Wednesday, 2nd January 2013
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i Gyd. A Happy New Year to All.
We are in tough times but art offers a channel to interest and enjoyment - and a lot can still be had for comparatively little. I am always willing to give a good deal to clients old and new so if there is something on this website which is of interest please don't hesitate to get in touch.
We are in tough times but art offers a channel to interest and enjoyment - and a lot can still be had for comparatively little. I am always willing to give a good deal to clients old and new so if there is something on this website which is of interest please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Mostyn Hall tour
Monday, 23rd July 2012
On Friday 3 August, I will be leading a tour of Mostyn Hall together with the art historian Peter Lord. This is an event organised by, and exclusively for, members of the Flintshire Historical Society. Mostyn is one of the great private treasure houses of Wales but has been inaccessible for many years. The new Lord Mostyn is intent upon increasing access and 'though this day is restricted it may be that the house will be open to visitors on a more regular basis in the coming years.
Artisan Painters Exhibition
Thursday, 13th October 2011
Welsh Artisan Painters at Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, Llanbedrog. 12 November to 24 December 2011. Curated by Peter Lord.
In November and December, Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw at Llanbedrog, near Pwllheli, will be presenting an exhibition of portraits and other pictures made by Welsh artisan painters. This is the first such exhibition since Peter Lord's groundbreaking 'Artisan Painters' was held at the National Library of Wales in 1993. Artisan painters were professional artists who found their patrons mainly among the rising middle class in Wales during the first half of the nineteenth century. Some like Hugh Hughes (1790-1863) and William Roos (1808-1878) worked all over the country, and among the Welsh communities of London and Liverpool. Others, like John Roberts of Llanystumdwy (flourished 1820's-30's), worked locally and, in addition to portraits, painted pictures of ships, inscriptions in chapels and churches, and signs for shops and pubs.
The exhibition will include over 40 examples of portraits, ship pictures and landscapes by both national and local artisans. A substantial number of these works have been discovered and sold by Miles Wynn Cato over the past twenty years. The exhibition presents unique opportunity to see these pictures, since nearly all are drawn from private collections. Also on display will be the self-portrait by Edward Owen of Penrhos, Anglesey. Painted in 1732, this important Welsh portrait was recently rediscovered in America. Owen was an apprentice in London to Thomas Gibson, and although he died only a few years after the picture was painted and so had only a very brief career, he is of considerable interest for the many letters that he wrote to members of his family while in London, which describe the life of the apprentice painter in Covent Garden. The self-portrait is a half-length, with the artist holding his palette and brushes, and it has now returned to a private collection in Wales.
Families have been comparatively settled over many generations in Llyn and as a result a higher proportion of artisan pictures has survived there than in many other places in Wales. Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw hopes that the exhibition will help to bring yet more to light. The exhibition has been curated by Peter Lord, Wales's foremost expert on artisan paintings, and he will be on hand in the gallery to discuss the pictures.
Look out for S4C's arts programme 'Pethe' as a documentary focussing on this exhibition will be broadcast sometime between 12-26 November.
On Saturday 26 November 2011 there will be an Open Day when members of the public are invited to bring in their own family portraits, ship pictures, landscapes etc..., whatever their condition, to be assessed and recorded by Peter Lord and Miles Wynn Cato. This will help to build a better picture of the history of artisan painters in the area, and in Wales as a whole.
For the Plas Glyn-y-Weddw website click here
In November and December, Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw at Llanbedrog, near Pwllheli, will be presenting an exhibition of portraits and other pictures made by Welsh artisan painters. This is the first such exhibition since Peter Lord's groundbreaking 'Artisan Painters' was held at the National Library of Wales in 1993. Artisan painters were professional artists who found their patrons mainly among the rising middle class in Wales during the first half of the nineteenth century. Some like Hugh Hughes (1790-1863) and William Roos (1808-1878) worked all over the country, and among the Welsh communities of London and Liverpool. Others, like John Roberts of Llanystumdwy (flourished 1820's-30's), worked locally and, in addition to portraits, painted pictures of ships, inscriptions in chapels and churches, and signs for shops and pubs.
The exhibition will include over 40 examples of portraits, ship pictures and landscapes by both national and local artisans. A substantial number of these works have been discovered and sold by Miles Wynn Cato over the past twenty years. The exhibition presents unique opportunity to see these pictures, since nearly all are drawn from private collections. Also on display will be the self-portrait by Edward Owen of Penrhos, Anglesey. Painted in 1732, this important Welsh portrait was recently rediscovered in America. Owen was an apprentice in London to Thomas Gibson, and although he died only a few years after the picture was painted and so had only a very brief career, he is of considerable interest for the many letters that he wrote to members of his family while in London, which describe the life of the apprentice painter in Covent Garden. The self-portrait is a half-length, with the artist holding his palette and brushes, and it has now returned to a private collection in Wales.
Families have been comparatively settled over many generations in Llyn and as a result a higher proportion of artisan pictures has survived there than in many other places in Wales. Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw hopes that the exhibition will help to bring yet more to light. The exhibition has been curated by Peter Lord, Wales's foremost expert on artisan paintings, and he will be on hand in the gallery to discuss the pictures.
Look out for S4C's arts programme 'Pethe' as a documentary focussing on this exhibition will be broadcast sometime between 12-26 November.
On Saturday 26 November 2011 there will be an Open Day when members of the public are invited to bring in their own family portraits, ship pictures, landscapes etc..., whatever their condition, to be assessed and recorded by Peter Lord and Miles Wynn Cato. This will help to build a better picture of the history of artisan painters in the area, and in Wales as a whole.
For the Plas Glyn-y-Weddw website click here