Main photo, etching Neilltuad
I visited an exhibition recently at Oriel Plas Glyn Y Weddw in Llanbedrog, North Wales, showing some of his work.
It was unfortunately a retrospective exhibition as he died not that long after the opening
....[The exhibition] celebrates the career of Berwyn Jones and includes a range of works produced during a period of nearly 40 years through many mediums.
Born in Llanbedrog in 1942.... [he] established himself as a self-employed artist in the late 1960s and early 1970s, making a series of small woodcuts mainly of Llŷn landscapes. [Llŷn Peninsula, North West Wales]
In the 1970s he turned his hand to pottery and built an oil-fired kiln. Janet, his future wife, joined him as an Apprentice in 1974 and this began a productive period of creating pottery....
....In 1984 he bought an engraving press which led to the creation of a series of engravings, mainly of local landscapes and seascapes. Then, in 1994 he turned his sights once again to painting oil on canvas creating works such as 'Yn y Berllan' and 'Hen Sugn, Hen Dai'.... Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw
I have to admit I didn't like the pottery, it was a bit too Bernard Leach country pottery- serviceable but not aesthetically pleasing, and also his abstracts weren't working for me....
The woodcuts were a bit too 1960's colour theme and somewhat 'clunky' in the carving
I did however love the etchings! I was particularly drawn to the etchings featuring water or sand ripples.
Also of interest for me were examples of his work sketches and planning for the etchings, including the different plates with colour layers, plus ink samples
Below is a small collection of the etchings, and some of the better wood carvings....
Twlldan Grisia....(A massive favourite of mine, and featuring in the work planning sketches that accompanied the exhibition)
Towyn
Llwybr Llymriaid.....(if I had the money I would have bought this, I really loved the depth of colour)
Garreg Fawr
Bwlch Coch.....(Again another favourite, and featured in the work plan sketches)
Haul Gaerau
Bwlch
Tany Fron
Now some of the wood cuts....
Deuglawdd....(I do actually like this, and the colours aren't too 1960's)
Pengarreg....(Holy 1960's Batman!! Seriously though, there is a charm about it, and I think it turned out well)
Ochor ‘Mynydd'.....(this one has an almost 3d type effect with the colours, especially the sky)
Enlli....(A bit too 1960's but I know the location so it gets a pass)
All work by Berwyn Jones, and quotes via Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw
Any opinions are mine and please checkout the website for the rest of the etchings and wood cuts!
