We’re delighted to be launching our Spring exhibitions with new work by Darren Hughes. Darren approaches the landscape with a contemporary realism and honesty. This exhibition of charcoal and mixed media drawings, oil paintings and drypoint etching prints explore native places for the artist – with views of Bethesda, Anglesey and the Irish Sea.

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Q&A: Beyond the…

“The pieces in the exhibition are responses to where I live in and around Bethesda, and also to Pentraeth on Anglesey where I grew up.”

“The quarry hospital in Bethesda is an important building in so many ways. It was the first hospital on the quarry premises and also the first place in North Wales to perform surgery with anaesthetic. It also helped many people injured whilst climbing in the Ogwen. As part of the Lôn Las Ogwen now its crumbling ruins have a completely different atmosphere. Set back in trees, it is a place of stillness and quiet, a place which draws you in. It is a completely different type of space within the landscape and a place that I needed to explore.”

“The beach in Pentraeth has always held a special interest and energy for me. As my childhood home, I spent nearly all my time on the beach and in and around the landscape there and even though it’s a place I know well, it’s somewhere I felt I’d not really explored enough in terms of subject. It is a completely different type of landscape and terrain to that which I am used to… far removed from the hills of Bethesda.”

“The images are grounded in observation, reflecting upon the energy and atmosphere of the places and certain memories. Photography has played a small part in exploring these ideas and I find I respond to photography’s stillness – that moment captured in time; of the world, but separate. It is this feeling that also permeates some of the locations used within the images. So this new work is a beginning, not only in terms of exploring a new type of landscape, but also in terms of approaching my practice and use of processes and materials.”

Work can be purchased by contacting 01248 353 368 or [email protected]

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Jac Jones

05 October 2024 - 04 January 2025

A major exhibition of work by Jac’s Jac Jones, artist, illustrator and author at Storiel promises to be inspiring and surprising.  Jac’s images are known to thousands of families across Wales – the Jac y Jwc character he created for the Sali Mali series of books or artworks for classic children’s books such as Lleuad yn Olau and Y Trysorfa to name but a few. Others might be surprised to see Jac’s artistic works in LP covers and theatre posters. For over fifty years, Anglesey born Jac has, and continues to, create artistic work of the highest standard; whether for children’s books,  LP covers, theatre productions or television programmes.   His work is familiar and yet this is a rare opportunity to see his artisty up-close in a gallery.  On display will be sketch books, story boards, familiar characters and less well known artworks.  Together, they demonstrate Jac’s talent - he could turn his hand to any style that was required that would produce the best result – a real testament to his creativity, skill and imagination.