Richard Evans helps you make the most of this October’s art events by rounding up what’s on outside of the major art festivals.
JOHN KNAPP-FISHER
Throughout October, the Martin Tinney Gallery will exhibit work of the late John Knapp-Fisher, one of Wales’ most renowned artists. Popularly known for his high contrast paintings inspired by the Pembrokeshire landscape and coastline, around 30 of his carefully selected works dating from 1958 to 2010 will be displayed. Just five years ago, the gallery saw queues around the block for his 80th birthday celebration, and following his death in 2015, this will be their first major selling exhibition of his work. All work will be available for purchase, so this event will provide a chance to both appreciate his work and make a valuable investment.
Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff, Wed 5-Sat 29 Oct. Admission: free. Info: 029 2064 1411 / www.artwales.com
HIRAETHU
Early this month, Elfyn Lewis’ Hiraethu exhibition of distinctive abstract paintings will be on show at Cardiff’s Gallery/Ten. A combination of on-board and on-paper paintings has been the hallmark of Lewis’ work since his 2014 gallery exhibition Beautiful Mistake. Hiraethu is strikingly personable, adopting representational imagery inspired by the breathtaking surroundings of his childhood home at the foot of the Snowdonia mountain range. His admiration of the environment is a clear theme that runs throughout his paintings which are, as he describes, “layered time after time until the upper layer explodes and transforms from its volcanic creation into a vivid landscape”.
Gallery/Ten, Cardiff, until Sat 8 Oct. Admission: free. Info: 029 2034 5978 / www.gallery-ten.co.uk
THE WONDERCRUMP WORLD OF ROALD DAHL
As part of the celebrations of Roald Dahl’s centenary, the Wales Millennium Centre will host a guided Roald Dahl tour suitable for ages seven to 107. The Wondercrump World Of Roald Dahl tour features special items from the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre archives as well as interactive installations to spark young and old imaginations. Learn about the life of one of Cardiff’s most celebrated storytellers in this magical and immersive experience.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, until Sat 14 Jan. Admission: ÂŁ8-ÂŁ11. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
CERI AUCKLAND DAVIES
Head down to Cardiff’s Albany Road and take a look at Ceri Auckland Davies’ awe-inspiring landscape paintings and photography. From dark seas stained by bleeding skies to hazy visions of misty Welsh mountains, Davies has culminated an impressive set of work with a series of breathtaking landscapes.
Albany Gallery, Cardiff, until Sat 8 Oct. Admission: free. Info: 029 2048 7158 / www.albanygallery.com
QUENTIN BLAKE: INSIDE STORIES
Quentin Blake: Inside Stories will continue to run at the National Museum Cardiff throughout October. Most commonly known for his illustrations in the books of Roald Dahl, Blake’s work is instantly recognised worldwide. The exhibition includes first rough drafts and storyboards open to the public eye for the first time, alongside finished pieces to show the chronological progression of the illustration process. Blake used a diverse range of methods to complete his drawings such as watercolours and pastels, always applied with sensitivity to the book’s content and adhering to the author’s wishes.
National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff, until Sun 20 Nov. Admission: free. Info: 029 2039 7951 / www.museum.wales
TYWI PRINTMAKERS
Up until mid-October, an extensive exhibition of prints by Tywi Printmakers’ Hilary Bryanston, Viv Kersey, Richard Leggett, Tanya Rotherfield, Alison Shotbolt and Alan Williams will feature in King Street Gallery’s Chate Room, Carmarthen. This marks a six year gap since the collection of talented artists last congregated to display and support the art of printmaking. The show involves works that took a collective as well as individual effort between the artists and explores many different ideas and themes.
King Street Gallery, Carmarthen, until Wed 12 Oct. Admission: free. Info: 01267 220121 / www.kingstreetgallery.co.uk
VISCOSITECTURE
Until mid-November, Viscotecture, a physical representation of research into the effects of city architecture on human existence, will be exhibited in Swansea’s Mission Gallery. This is a cutting-edge art installation organised through a set of phases that see the artistic landscape transform both visually and sonically. A highly intelligent exhibition not to be missed.
Mission Gallery, Swansea, Sat 19 Nov. Admission: free. Info: 01792 652016 / www.missiongallery.co.uk
S MARK GUBB – REVELATIONS: THE POISON OF FREE THOUGHT, PART II & MIKE KELLY – MOBILE HOMESTEAD
Taken from the distinctive Artangel collection, the recently departed Mike Kelley’s film Mobile Homestead will be previewed at Cardiff’s experimental gallery G39 on Fri 21 Oct. This will be the first time that Kelley’s work appears in Wales. The Mobile Homestead was initially conceptualised as a public sculpture for Detroit, the city in which the artist was born and spent his earlier years. Homestead will appear alongside a major new sculptural work by S Mark Gubb, commissioned by G39 and Artangel. This is part of a multifaceted project for Gubb, under the title of Revelations, happening simultaneously at Nottingham’s SYSON Gallery and a roadside billboard on an American interstate.
G39, Cardiff, Sat 22 Oct-Sat 17 Dec. Admission: free. Info: 029 2047 3633 / www.g39.org
STEPH GOODGER AND JULIAN ROWE: CHERRY TIME
Inspired by the well-known French song Le Temps Des Cerises (Cherry Time) and the macabre photographs of the corpses of dead Communards taken during the Paris Commune of 1871, Cherry Time is a joint-force exhibition by Bordeaux painter Steph Goodger and Kent-based sculptor, Julian Rowe. This exhibition was born out of the extensive research of both artists and their fascination with the architecture of rebellion.
Elysium Gallery, Swansea, until Sat 8 Oct. Admission: free. Info: www.elysiumgallery.com
FREYA DOOLEY – RHYTHMS AND DISTURBANCES
G39 are commissioning a new project by Freya Dooley to be previewed on Fri 21 Oct. Rhythms And Disturbances incorporates multi-layered aural textures containing repetitive forms and overlapping rhythms. Examining the relationship between anxiety, repetition and desire alongside rhythms of speech and body that govern our physical relationship with the world, the piece explores the combination of intricate experiences that form a full experience.
G39, Cardiff, Sat 22 Oct-Sat 17 Dec. Admission: free. Info: 029 2047 3633 / www.g39.org
DRAWING INSPIRATIONS
Curated by Alex McErlain, Drawing Inspirations looks at a broad range of factors that connect the artist to their particular style of drawing. This is a great opportunity to hear a professional discuss her thoughts on pieces presented by the exhibiting artists.
Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay, until Sun 6 Nov. Admission: free. Info: 029 2048 4611 / www.makersguildinwales.org.uk
THE COMMUNITY KITES PROJECT
Swansea’s Ceri Richards Gallery will document and exhibit the city-based community project to make and fly kites on the Gower until the end of the month. This will be a part of the Swansea International Festival.
Taliesin, Swansea, until Sat 29 Oct. Admission: free. Info: 01792 602060 / www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk