Art inspired by home comforts

Mar 27 2008 by Claire Rees, Rhymney Valley Express

AN exhibition inspired by a comfortable upbringing in the Rhymney Valley has just opened in South Wales.

Deri-born artist John Uzzell-Edwards created his latest work as a homage to the quilts and blankets of his childhood and fans from home can see them first-hand until May 3.

The 60-year-old’s latest collection of large mixed-media paintings is now showing at the Cynon Valley Museum and Art Gallery in Aberdare before it moves to Merthyr Tydfil later in the year.

John, who now lives in Swansea, was granted an Arts Council of Wales travel scholarship to study Celtic art in Europe, and has twice been awarded the main painting prize at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

He uses large canvases driven by a fascination for Celtic crosses, stone inscriptions, medieval floor tiles, and the lettering and carpet pages of holy books and old manuscripts.

His most recent work drew on memories of home, and the comforts of growing up in Deri.

He said: “I’ve been working from quilts for the past two years – I don’t copy them, I use ideas from the patterns, materials and rhythms.”

The exhibition will also move to Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil and the Interceltic Festival at L’Orient, in Brittany.

Opening night takes place this Friday, March 28 from 7pm until 9pm.