Iwan Gwyn Parry, RCA, "In the footsteps of Turner's Thames", 11 - 28 February 2020

IWAN GWYN PARRY RCA 1

“In the footsteps of Turner’s Thames” 11 - 28 February 2020

The river Thames series of paintings has been an epic, all-consuming passion over the course of nearly four years now.

It is the sole project I’ve worked on to produce this new body of work. I have travelled, mapped and chartered literally the course of its long 237 mile long journey from source to sea. I have travelled physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually along its course in equal measures!

Three specific locations were chosen eventually for their pictorial possibilities and also in terms of the “realization of my vision for the work”. They are places of light, space and mystery. Over countless field visits during the three years I have seen a great deal, the daily workings of the river and the people who treasure and indeed depend on it. I was kindly supported by local boatmen at Richmond who rowed me out in their pleasure boats up and down that stretch while I made drawings. Also the barrage pilots who allowed me to travel with them at the crack of dawn resulting in the “London skyline paintings”! I genuinely felt a kinship with Turner at those times!

Many of the images are specific to the dawn and sunset where the river is at its most tranquil or powerful, both bathed in a timeless, mystical light. The paintings are inspired by Turner, travel and adventure where a spirit of the familiar and the unknown create symphonies, serenades and lullabies.

I hope the paintings reflect my personal vision of the river.

2

Front Cover: The Thames Approaches Evening Light – oil on canvas – 51 x 76cm

Iwan Gwyn Parry RCA, 2020

The Thames from Richmond Hill – oil on paper – 84 x 114cm

3

4

The Thames Approaches IV oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

The Thames Approaches VII oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

The Thames Approaches IX oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

The Thames Approaches X oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

5

6

River Light, London Skyline – oil on canvas – 36 x 91cm

Dawn Light, London Skyline – oil on canvas – 52 x 102cm

7

8

The Mouth of the River oil on canvas 122 x 152cm

Looking West, Richmond Hill – oil on board – 60 x 62cm

9

10

The London Dawn – oil on canvas – 62 x 92cm

River Thames Canopy – oil on board – 60 x 60cm

River Reflection – oil on board – 60 x 60cm

11

12

Richmond Hill, Last Rays – oil on board – 60 x 85cm

Richmond Hill, Dawn – oil on paper – 84 x 119cm

13

14

The Thames Approaches II oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

The Thames Approaches III oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

The Thames Approaches V oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

The Thames Approaches I oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

15

16

The London Skyline at Sunset – oil on canvas – 61 x 122cm

The Thames Approaches, Dawn – oil on canvas – 40 x 80cm

17

18

Still River Clearing – oil on board – 60 x 60cm

Still River Light – oil on board – 60 x 60cm

The Thames Approaches at Dawn – oil on canvas – 31 x 61cm

19

Right: The Thames Approaches at Sunset oil on canvas – 101 x 153cm

20

The Thames Approaches VI oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

The Thames Approaches VIII oil on canvas – 15 x 20cm

21

22

River Thames Light – oil on canvas – 40 x 80cm

The Thames Approaches – oil on canvas – 60 x 90cm

23

24

The Thames Approaches, High Tide – oil on canvas – 84 x 115cm

BIOGRAPHY Iwan Gwyn Parry was born in Anglesey in 1970. Iwan completed a BA Fine Art Degree at the Cardiff Institute from 1989 to 1992, where he achieved a First. He then went on to undertake a Masters in Painting at the Chelsea School of Art and Design, London from 1992 to 1993. Iwan currently lives and works in North Wales.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2020 Thackeray Gallery, London 2018 ‘The Rivers of Wales’, Welsh Arts Council Supported, Theatre Clwyd, Mold, North Wales 2016 ‘The Alchemy of water’, Theatr Clwyd, Mold,clwyd; ‘The Alchemy of water’Storiel Bangor, Gwynedd 2013 Martin Tinney, Cardiff 2012 Oriel Tegfryn Gallery, Wales 2011 Thackeray Gallery, London; ‘The Painted Surface’, Oriel Ynys Mon. 2010 David Koppel Gallery, Norwich 2009 Martin Tinney, Cardiff 2007 ‘New paintings’, Martin Tinney, Cardiff COLLECTIONS National Eisteddfod of Anglesey, 1999; Elected member of Royal Cambrian Academy, 2003; Contemporary Art Society of Wales collection, 2007; University of Glamorgan collection, 2008; National government collection (House of Lords purchase collection 2012);Anglesey County Council; 2nd prize gold medal fine art competition; Numerous private collections 25

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 2020 ‘Cull Rirsleig International Artists Residencies’, Balliskelligs, Co.Kerry, Ireland; Artists profile -

Major Series S4C ‘Wales on canvas’ 2019 Winter exhibition, The Doorway Gallery, Dublin, Ireland 2018 Royal College of Art, London “Secret”; 50th Year Anniversary exhibition, Thackeray gallery,

London, ‘Royal Cambrian Academy’, Summer exhibition, ‘New artists/Xmas show’, The

Doorway Gallery, Dublin, Irleand; University of Glamorgan permanent Collection “Selected works.

2017 ‘A journey for Jan Morris’, Oriel-Plas-glyn-y-Weddw; The Land & Sea’, Thackeray Gallery,

London; ‘Three Welsh Painters’, Oriel Tegfryn, Menai Bridge 2014 ‘The Land & Sea’, Thackeray Gallery, London 2013 En-plein – air Royal Cambrian Academy 2011 Oriel- Y- Bont, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, (Prize winners) 2010 Fraser Gallery of Bethesda, Greater Washington DC, U.S.A; ‘Six Welsh painters’, Thackeray

Gallery, London 2009 Recent purchases University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd 2008 University of Glamorgan purchase award. Millennium centre, Cardiff. (Shortlisted artist) 2006 Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy, Clwyd (Lower gallery) 2005 Iwan Gwyn Parry/ Dewi Tudur/Dick Chappell, Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff;’ Oriel plas-

Glyn-y-weddw, Llanbedrog, Gwynedd (joint show with Gwilym Prichard); Six Welsh Artists,

“Cartref ” Casa Foa Buenos Aires 26

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS 2004 ‘Native land’ North Wales Artists and Landscape 1979-2004, Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno/

Millenium centre, Cardiff.

2003 ‘New paintings and drawings’, Theatre Clwyd (Main hall) 2002 ‘Landmarks’, Oriel Ynys Mon, Anglesey. (Joint show with Darren Hughes) 2000 ‘Oil and Water’, Centre for Visual Arts, Cardiff, (with Brendan Burns and Terry Setch);

‘Afon’/ ‘River’ Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno, Conwy, (Artist in Resident) 1999 Wales drawing Biennale, Wrexham Arts centre/ Aberystwyth Art Centre; National

Esteddfod of Wales, Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey. Coleg Menai Exhibition; ‘Six Welsh Artists,

Wrexham Art Centre Exchange and Altena, Germany; National Eisteddfod of Wales,

Llanbedrgoch, Anglesey(Prize winner); ‘Horizon/Gorwelion’ Solo touring exhibition,

Wrexham Art Centre and Maidstone Art Gallery 1997 ‘New works’ Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery (Joint show with Owein Prendergast);

Wales drawing Biennale. (Image used for a poster), Wrexham art centre/ Aberystwyth Art Centre 1992 Young Welsh Artists from Cardiff Inst of Higher Education, S4C Cardiff

27

18 THACKERAY STREET | KENSINGTON | LONDON W8 5ET www.thackeraygallery.com | enquiries@thackeraygallery.com | 020 7937 5883

28