NOT only is award-winning art gallery Ffin y Parc enjoying its tenth-anniversary this year it is also celebrating the first major solo show by local Welsh artist Gareth Parry RCA.
Gareth, who lives near the Conwy Valley-based gallery, between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Trawsfynydd, has been a regular visitor and keen supporter of the gallery since it opened.
“We have been admirers of Gareth’s work for many years,” explained gallery owner Ralph Sanders.
“So we are very pleased that he has decided to be represented in Wales by Ffin y Parc Gallery.”
Gareth was born in the slate quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1951.
After leaving school he studied at Manchester College of Art in the late 1960s. Before painting he worked in a local mine for two years. He has since been exhibiting in London, following in the footsteps of the late Sir Kyffin Williams at the Thackeray Gallery and also throughout Wales for many years. His work can be found in many public and private collections throughout the UK and abroad. In 2006 he was elected a member of the Royal Cambrian Academy. This will be Gareth’s largest show to date and starts on Sunday, February 2 until Wednesday, February 26 at Ffin y Parc Gallery.
Of his work Gareth explained: “Painting in the open air was the best training I could have ever had. My work now consists of sketches and memory and is a companion of observations.”
He added: “My work is mostly about ‘Cymru’ and ‘Y Cymry’ (the land and the people) reflecting living in a changing Wales, whilst the land and seascapes are more about the weather and natural elements.”
Ralph added: “Gareth used to paint exclusively en plein air. These days, while he still makes preparatory sketches outdoors, the paintings are mainly completed in the comfort of his studio. These new works are full of vigour and energy.
“Not only is this Gareth’s biggest show it is also the most varied with seascapes, landscapes, portraits and street scenes, all inspired by his local environment in Wales.”
Gareth Parry RCA an exhibition of new works is on from Sunday, February 2 until Wednesday, February 26 at Ffin y Parc Gallery, Betws Road, Llanrwst LL26 0PT 01492 64070 www.welshart.net
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