Summer Exhibition 2024

Artist Spotlight: Ann Lewis RCA

Born in St. Asaph, Denbighshire, Ann studied at the Art College in Bangor and then at Exeter College of Art and Design where she graduated in Graphic Design. In 1988, Ann returned to Wales, initially working as a freelance designer and illustrator.

A gradual evolution from designer to fine artist began in 1993 when Ann was elected a member of the Royal Cambrian Academy. In December 2020, Ann was elected President of the Royal Cambrian Academy – the Academy's first female President in its 140 year history.

Since March 2009, Ann has worked full time as a printmaker specialising in the reduction method of linocutting, producing limited editions of hand-printed linocuts in her studio in the Conwy Valley in North Wales.

Ann’s work is inspired largely by the Welsh landscape, its mountains, rivers, waterfalls and coastline.

Ann has work in the National Library of Wales’ collection, the Government‘s Art Collection and The Grosvenor Museum, Chester’s Print Collection.

Ann’s work is on display as part of our summer exhibition and is available to view online here.

Artist Spotlight: Russ Chester

After the success of his first solo exhibitions in 2022, Russ was determined to find a ‘reason’ for painting, rather than just painting because he could. 

Russ had never been able to exactly pinpoint ‘Welshness’; and apart from the language and the Eisteddfod, his questions about this - or the area where we live - had created confusion; or answers have been ambiguous or drawn a blank. After learning to stop asking stupid questions and listen to people, he started exploring social media and how people approached various subjects.

Russ’ current project ‘Chwilio am Gymru’ (Looking for Wales) explores culture, heritage, environment, conservation and the working landscape seen through the eyes of his community. ‘Looking for Wales’ is the result of some quite intense work and research, and features subject matter that some may find curious, unexpected or quite baffling. His interest continues into how people perceive and interpret ‘detail’; and he is constantly playing with various textures, techniques and colours to exploit these preconceptions. 

 Russ is an internationally selling artist and has his work in private collections around the world. He has received commissions from Canada, France, New Zealand, Norway and the USA, and exhibits his work in London, Cardiff and the North Wales Galleries.

Russ’ work is on display as part of our summer exhibition and is available to view online here.

Artist Spotlight: Jenny Ryrie

Jenny Ryrie specialises in watercolour. She has an M.A. in Fine Art from Edinburgh, is a member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and is an Associate Member of the Penwith Society of Arts in Cornwall. She has exhibited nationally and internationally for many years and is based on the Welsh border near Chester.

Jenny first exhibited with the Thackeray Gallery in London and Kingfisher Gallery in Edinburgh, and for several years had a series of solo shows with Canyon Road Contemporary Art in New Mexico, U.S.A.  Recent solo exhibitions include ‘Watershed’ (2018) with the Belgrave Gallery in St.Ives, Cornwall, and ‘Light and Water’ (2019) and ‘The Flowing Line’ (2023) at Plas Glyn-y-Weddw. 

Her focus on watercolour follows a long tradition in her family going back five generations of the Evans family, who originated in Flintshire in the late 18th century and all specialised in the watercolour medium, including the Victorian watercolourist known as ‘William Evans of Eton’. Her aim is to push the boundaries of the medium and explore its potential for expression through its unique qualities of translucency and fluidity. 

Her work varies from semi-abstract to abstract paintings relating mainly to landscape and nature but also exploring music, emotion and sound.

Jenny’s work is on display as part of our summer exhibition and is available to view online here.

Artist Spotlight: Georgie Dowling

Raised near the coast in rural West Wales, Georgie's work is influenced by early memories of rugged coastlines, secluded beaches and rolling hills. Now based in Gloucestershire she is surrounded by endless footpaths to explore with her paints. ‘En plein air’ painting plays a vital role in her practice, often taking her to the coastlines of Wales and Cornwall. The rugged and irregular coastlines offer a captivating contrast to the farmland of her local landscape. 

“My work is not only about celebrating the beauty in our landscape but also about the act of making the time to experience it. I often paint ‘en plein air’, whilst out in the landscape with my paints I feel more connected to our natural world than ever. The continuous momentum of nature and everchanging light on the land and sea is an endless source of inspiration. I find myself feeling continuously inspired and moved by the life of our landscape, painting in the landscape has completely changed how I see the world around me.” 

This body of work stems from her admiration of the Welsh coast, ranging from areas where she spent her childhood, near Cardigan Bay, to somewhere only recently experienced, Llyn Peninsula. 

Georgie’s work is on display as part of our summer exhibition and is available to view online here.