An upcoming exhibition at Tŷ Pawb will showcase the work of one of North Wales’ most influential artists.
Trailer is an exhibition of new work by Gareth Griffith.
Working across both sculpture and painting, Gareth Griffith uses everyday materials and found objects, industrial plastics and beach detritus to create works that are poetic and playful, curious and familiar, elegiac and life affirming.
This exhibition includes objects from the past 50 years, some of which have been reconfigured especially.
Stories and memories
Trailer has come together over the past two years with the support of the Arts Council of Wales, which enabled him to engage with a local factory producing industrial pipes in the Ogwen Valley.
The work often starts in one place but leads to somewhere else, as objects are found or given to the artist. There is a working through of ideas and stories, all of it cyclical, as the artist remembers key life moments such as swimming, living in Jamaica, family members, a near death experience, friendships.
A ‘unique and personal’ exhibition
Born in Bangor in September 1940, Gareth Griffith trained in Painting at Liverpool College of Art in the 1960s. He has exhibited at MOSTYN, Galeri, Oriel Ynys Mon, Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, Ucheldre, Oriel Bangor, Fruitta Gallery, Rome, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, John Peartree Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica, Liverpool Academy Gallery, Royal Cambrian Academy, and View Two Art Gallery, Liverpool. In 1998 he completed an Artist in Residence at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. In 2018/19 he was recipient of a major production award from the Arts Council of Wales.
In 2012 he won the Painting Prize at Welsh Artist of the Year, St David’s Hall, Cardiff and has twice won second prize in the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru.
Lead Member for People – Communities, Partnerships Public Protection and Community Safety, Cllr Hugh Jones, said: “We’re delighted to be able to present the work of such a hugely influential Welsh artist here in Wrexham.
“Griffith’s playful use of various materials and the references to his wonderful collection of memories, stories and experiences make this a very unique and personal exhibition.
“It is an honour for Tŷ Pawb to be selected as one of the venues for this touring exhibition and I would urge everyone to make the most of the opportunity to come and see Griffith’s work up close.”
Special guest to appear at opening event
There will be a special event to open the exhibition at 6pm on Friday September 20.
Gareth Griffith will be speaking at the event and we’re also pleased to announce that another well known North Wales artist, Bedwyr Williams, will be joining him.
Bedwyr has a longstanding relationship with Gareth Griffith and will be speaking as part of the welcome speeches at the Launch Event.
Where and when
- Trailer will be on show at Tŷ Pawb from September 21 – November 3.
- The exhibition is an Oriel Davies Touring Project also showing at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Oriel Myrddin and Oriel Davies.
- The project is funded by The Arts Council of Wales and supported by Culture Colony.
