Oriel Gelf Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
Welcome to Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea Since it was founded in 1911, the Gallery has formed a significant Collection with displays which are complemented by dynamic Exhibitions and Learning Programmes
The Collection A broad spectrum of the visual arts, from old masters to contemporary artists, and an international collection of porcelain and Swansea china
The Art Gallery is named after its founder and principal benefactor, Richard Glynn Vivian. Born in September 1835, he was the fourth son of the wealthy owners of the largest copper factory in Swansea, then the main British copper smelting centre. The Vivians contributed greatly to the commercial, social and cultural life of the City.
R E Pfeninger Portrait of Richard Glynn Vivian, 1882 oil on canvas, 88.2 x 67.7 cm Thomas Jones (1742-1803) Ruined Buildings Naples, c. 1782, oil on paper, 24.5 x 39.7 cm
Impressionism comes to the Gallery In 1911 François Depeaux, a French industrialist from Rouen with strong business connections in Swansea, and a friend of Richard Glynn Vivian, donated six paintings from the ‘School of Rouen’ to the Collection
Joseph Delattre (l858-1912) Vielles Maisons, undated, oil on canvas, 75.4 x 90.3 cm. A further gift from François Depeaux in 1919
Claude Monet (1840-1926) Bateaux en Hollande près de Zaandam, 1871, oil on canvas, 35.2 x 71 cm. Presented 1974 by HM Government (Treasury) in lieu of estate duties
One of a series of 35 works painted by this famous French impressionist whilst living with his wife and child in The Netherlands during 1871
Lucien Pissarro (1863-1944) Cefn Bryn, Gower, 1933, oil on canvas, 47.3 x 55 cm
Lucien Pissarro painted this view of Cefn Bryn from Pennard Castle, when visiting the Swansea area in 1933. Eldest son of the famous impressionist, Camille Pissarro, Lucien lived in England for 50 years. A member of the New English Art Club and the Camden Town Group, he had a strong impact on young British artists of the day including Walter Sickert, Percy Wyndham Lewis and Augustus John who are also represented in the Collection
Cubism – Futurism – Surrealism Abstraction – Constructivism In the early 20th Century, the UK became a veritable melting pot of ideas, fuelled by the many exhibitions and visiting artists from overseas, who introduced the differing factions of Modernism
Along with Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth revived the art of sculpture in 20th Century UK
Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) Curved form with Inner form – anima, 1959, bronze, 62.5 x 40 x 68 cm © Bowness, Hepworth Estate
Ben Nicholson (1894-1982) October 12 1952, oil and pencil on board, 29.5 x 23.3 cm © Angela Verren Taunt 2008. All rights reserved, DACS 2008
Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson, her husband, were involved with mainstream European Abstraction, visiting Paris during the 1930s where they regularly met Picasso, Gabo, Brancusi and Mondrian. In l939 they moved to St Ives and helped to form the St Ives School. Along with Henry Moore (1898-1986), Hepworth and Nicholson were the first generation of Modern artists in the UK
"Colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammers, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand which plays touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul" Wassily Kandinsky - ‘Concerning the Spiritual in Art’ 1911
Ceri Richards believed in an underlying unity in the arts; some of his greatest work was inspired by the poems of Dylan Thomas and the music of Debussy. Born in Dunvant near Swansea, Richards achieved international acclaim during his lifetime
Ceri Richards (1903-71) Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night, 1965, watercolour and mixed media on paper, 77 x 56.7 cm © Estate of Ceri Richards/DACS 2008
"Music is specially significant to me and moves parallel with my love of and activity of painting – continually". Ceri Richards (1903-71) The Pianist, 1948, oil on canvas, 63 x 76 cm © Estate of Ceri Richards/DACS 2008 Ceri Richards –1960
With a portrait you have an immediate experience of an individual, possibly from another time, place or culture
Augustus John was an outstanding painter and brilliant draughtsman. Born in Tenby, Pembrokeshire he studied at the Slade School of Art in London at the same time as his sister, Gwen. The Tutor is a portrait of John Hope-Johnstone, who taught John’s children at Alderney Manor, Dorset
Augustus John (1878-1961) The Tutor, c. 1911, oil on panel, 52.9 x 41.6 cm © With permission of Augustus John Estate/The Bridgeman Art Library
Gwen John (1876-1939) Little Girl Wearing a Straw Hat, c. 1910s, gouache, 21.7 x 17 cm © Estate of Gwen John. All rights reserved, DACS 2008
Regarded by many critics as one of the greatest women painters of her day, Gwen John was brought up in Tenby and studied at the Slade School of Art in London, living in France from the early 1900s. Under Whistler’s tutelage in Paris she developed her interest in tone and texture. Over the years she increasingly refined her very individual technique and highly original vision culminating with works of great delicacy and sensitivity
The Gallery is famous for its collection of Swansea pottery and porcelain It also houses many original examples of Welsh, English, European and Oriental pottery and porcelain, purchased by Richard Glynn Vivian, which now forms the core of a much greater collection today
Over the years, through gifts and acquisitions, and the unfailing support of the Friends of the Glynn Vivian, the Collection continues to develop For more information on the Friends of the Glynn Vivian go to www.glynnviviangallery.org or contact Gallery Reception
Thomas Rothwell (1740-1897) The Betsey Ship Plate, 1800, Swansea printed earthenware Cambrian Pottery, diameter 24.7 cm
Franz Anton Bustelli (1754-63) The Tempestuous Lovers, 1760, Nymphenburg hard paste porcelain, height 14.4 cm
Craig Wood (b.1960) Carmarthen-Leeds Return, 2000, acrylic on feather framed 33 x 27 cm © The Artist. Winner of The Richard and Rosemary Wakelin Purchase Award 2003. An annual award supported by the Friends
Thomas Baxter (1782-1821) The Jubal Cup, c. 1814-1817, Swansea porcelain Cambrian Pottery height 8.4 cm
Today Franz Anton Bustelli is regarded as the major Rococo porcelain artist. In less than 9 years at Nymphenburg, he created about 150 models, including his world-famous figures of the Commedia dell’Arte
Richard Monahan (b.1979) Portrait with Pencil, 2005, oil drawing, 170 x 120 cm © The Artist. Winner of Sir Leslie Joseph Young Artist Award and gifted by the Friends in 2006. This is a biennial award supported by the Friends
Shani Rhys James (b.1953) Head I, II & III, 2002, oil on linen, each 31 x 15 cm © Shani Rhys James. All rights reserved, DACS 2008. Purchased in 2003 with assistance from Resource/V+A Purchase Grant Fund and the Friends of the Glynn Vivian
Exhibitions Learning Bookshop
Shimabuku (b.1969), Swansea Jack Memorial Dog Swimming Competition, 2003, organised by Glynn Vivian Art Gallery Š The Artist
A dynamic exhibitions programme provides a platform for artists based in Wales to present their work in a local, national and international context There is an emphasis on the inter-relationship between local and global issues and this is also reflected in the invitations that are extended to local and international artists to exhibit and to create work in response to the City of Swansea The Gallery also hosts national and international touring exhibitions of major contemporary artists and art historical shows The Gallery holds quarterly contemporary applied arts exhibitions for new and emerging artists as well as more established figures (Above) Peter Finnemore (b.1963) Green Destiny, 2004, photograph. From ‘Zen Gardener’ an exhibition originated by Oriel Mostyn Gallery and shown at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery 2005 © The Artist (Left) Nadín Ospina (b.1960) Idolo con Muñeca (Idol with Doll), 2000, limestone sculpture, 42 x 24 x 19 cm University of Essex Collection of Latin American Art. From Displaced: Contemporary Art from Colombia, originated by Glynn Vivian Art Gallery 2007 © The Artist
Rut Blees Luxemburg (b.1967) DVLA, 2003, photograph. From ‘ffolly’ an exhibition jointly originated by Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and Ffotogallery 2003 © The Artist
David Clarke (b.1967) Stuff of Nonsense, 2006, lead, precious white metal & silver plated brass © The Artist
Creating a friendly, supportive atmosphere in which young people are able to develop an understanding of the world of art while, at the same time, discovering their own capabilities through practical workshops Around 6,000 school children and students participate in organised Gallery visits each year, as part of the 4-Site Education Service
Children viewing Nanzino Pece’s series for ‘Final Season at the Vetch’, a group show of photographers from Swansea Institute of Higher Education 2006
Events include artists, curators, writers and cultural commentators – discussing a range of issues generated by the exhibitions and displays. Poets and musicians are also often invited to give their very particular responses to the artworks. Audio guides are available for selected works on display, including Swansea artists Evan Walters (1893-1951) and Ceri Richards (1903-1971) For films and podcasts of events go to our website – www.glynnviviangallery.org
In Transit ensemble performing a concert of contemporary music in response to ‘You’ll Never Know: Drawing and Random Interference’, a Hayward Gallery Touring Exhibition 2006
The Bookshop stocks the most recent publications on Contemporary Art, Photography, Applied Art, Architecture, Fashion, Design, Art History and Theory
Gallery Map
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For further information about what’s on, please contact Gallery Reception or go to www.glynnviviangallery.org
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City & County of Swansea. The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Friends of the Glynn Vivian and The Arts Council of Wales.
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If you wish to receive this information in an alternative format, please contact the Gallery. This leaflet is available in Welsh.
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Ground floor; upper floor limited access; accessible toilets; main entrance intercom with tactile/braille sign.
BOOK SHOP
TRAIN STATION
G LY N N VIVIAN A RT G A L L E RY
Cover Mark Wallinger (b.1959), Ecce Homo, 1999, white marbleised resin, gold leaf, barbed wire – life size (installed in Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, 2002) © The Artist, courtesy Anthony Reynolds Gallery, London. Photography Charles & Patricia Aithie, David Clarke, Peter Finnemore, Rut Blees Luxemburg, Graham Matthews, Noguchi Rika. © 2008 Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and the artists. Every effort has been made to secure the permission of copyright holders to reproduce work. Design A1 Design, Cardiff
GROUND FLOOR
MAIN ENTRANCE
ALEXANDRA ROAD
RAMP ENTRANCE
Gwen John (1876-1939) The Nun, c. late 1910s, oil on canvas, 56 x 35.2 cm Š Estate of Gwen John. All rights reserved, DACS 2008
Oriel Gelf Glynn Vivian Art Gallery Alexandra Road Swansea SA1 5DZ Tel: 01792 516900 e-mail: glynn.vivian.gallery@swansea.gov.uk www: glynnviviangallery.org Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm
Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays) Admission Free