Graham Sutherland (1903 – 1980) was celebrated as the ‘outstanding painter of his generation’ and a major figure in British art of the twentieth century. A selection of works and archival objects from the Sutherland collection at Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’ collection will be on show in a new exhibition Graham Sutherland at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre, St Davids, Pembrokeshire from 1 April – 1 July 2012.
The exhibition shows both the breadth of material in the collection and archive from Amgueddfa Cymru and suggests connections between objects and art and between the people and places that shaped Sutherland’s career.
Initially inspired by the English Romantic tradition, Sutherland developed a personal approach to nature which increasingly drew on modern European art. The places in which Sutherland worked had a profound influence on his work: from the rural landscape of Kent to the hills and valleys of west Wales and the heat and light of the French Riviera. Sutherland wanted to leave a collection to Wales because he felt ‘having gained so much from this country, I should like to give something back’.
Bryony Dawkes, Partnerships Projects Curator, Amgueddfa Cymru, said, “Many of Sutherland’s best known works are inspired by the wild coastline of Pembrokeshire. This exhibition celebrates both Sutherland’s work and this inspirational landscape, so we hope that visitors to Oriel y Parc will enjoy these wonderful works from Amgueddfa Cymru’s collection, in the place that was so vital to his creativity.”
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Chairman Cllr Tony Brinsden said: “The award-winning Gallery at Oriel y Parc was originally created to house a Graham Sutherland collection bequeathed to the people of Pembrokeshire, so we are absolutely delighted to showcase this exhibition from Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales.
“I’m fond of the Sutherland quote: ‘All in all, I look on the hidden places where I work as a marvellous playground’. We’re proud that the National Park is working towards conserving the Pembrokeshire landscape that so inspired him.”
Oriel y Parc is managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales. The main gallery features a rolling programme of exhibitions from the National Collection.
Oriel y Parc is also home to a Visitor Centre, Artist-in-Residence Studio, a Discovery Room which hosts family-friendly art and nature activities, a Tower which hosts local arts exhibitions and community-run classes, and a café.
Entry to all Amgueddfa Cymru sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Government.
