Talented artists Rianna Lane and Brian Davies – former Welsh international player – launch an exhibition of paintings to coincide with the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament at Rhondda Heritage Park, Trehafod, on Saturday, February 5, 2011.
Entitled ‘Up and Under’, the show features striking paintings of players, referees, commentators and personalities from the rugby world with works ranging from the James brothers of the 1890s, through to players of today including James Hook, Martyn Williams and Mike Phillips.
Brian Davies represented the Welsh Schools at Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. While at University he played rugby for Llanelli and Wales. A knee injury hampered his sporting career at the highest level, although he was able to play and coach at a junior level with local club, Pentyrch. He commentated regularly on Rugby for BBC Radio Cymru and Radio Wales for 25 years
During the Rugby World Cup in 2003, he felt inspired to paint images of Jonny Wilkinson and Shane Williams. He produced autographed prints to raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust. His interest developed and he now has a prolific portfolio of paintings depictingthe rugby fraternity. He has also produced a book of 60 of his portraits.
Rianna Lane is currently studying Fine Art and Advertising at Northampton University. Her passion for rugby started at an early age and she hosted her first exhibition when she was just 16.
This show enabled her to combine her love of rugby and her artistic ability. She loves portraiture and most of her work involves people. Some of her rugby portraits were exhibited at the Twickenham Museum of Rugby throughout the 6 Nations Tournament in 2009.
Rianna produced a motivational piece for Wales in 2008 which was presented to the team prior to their Grand Slam Victory. It now hangs at their home ground at the Millennium Stadium.
Up and Under contains more than 60 portraits and continues until March 20, 2011. The exhibition is supported by a collection of quirky rugby-inspired Groggs from John Hughes World of Groggs in Pontypridd. The Gallery is open Tuesdays-Sundays from 9am–4.30pm. Admission to the Gallery is free.
For more information on events at Rhodnda Heritage Park this spring, go to www.rhonddaheritagepark or call 01443 682036.
