Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1394

Following a bequest of work from Richard Glynn Vivian (1835—1910) the gallery opened to the public in 1911. The building, designed by Glendinning Moxham, is a lovely purpose-built gallery with double-height rooms lit from above. Glynn Vivian’s bequest comprised of a large group of European and British works from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The gallery also houses the John Deffett Francis collection, gifted 1952, of European and British prints, watercolours and drawings collected between 1876 and 1901.

The modern collection includes works by Barbara Hepworth, Paul Nash, Wyndham Lewis and Ivon Hitchens as well as notable Welsh artists such as Evan Walters, Augustus John, Gwen John and Ceri Richards. Contemporary works by Welsh artists include pieces by Shani Rhys James, Craig Wood, Peter Finnemore and Laura Ford.

The permanent collection holds a large group of ceramics with a number of items from the Nantgarw and Swansea potteries and a collection of studio pottery by Lucie Rie, Carol McNicoll and Phil Rogers. The gallery presents a dynamic programme of exhibitions showing contemporary visual art, accompanied by an education service for schools and a lively events programme. Works on display from the permanent collection change every six months.

Guest editor’s note: The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and Museum is the main focus of the cultural quarter in Swansea. A three-floored Victorian building manned by friendly, welcoming staff. The collection contains a strong element of Welsh cultural themes of significance. Its collection of Cambrian Pottery cow-shaped cream jugs is a pure joy. The events programme, which includes contemporary acoustic music in the gallery’s atrium is not to be missed.

Reviewed by: Peter Finnemore