Roger Cecil
Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran
Sat 2 June-Sat 21 July
Residing in the mining town of Abertillery for his entire life, Roger Cecil (1942-2015) quietly forged a lasting impression with his uncompromising approach to painting. From the outset of his artistic career, Cecil was uninterested in breaking into the inner circles of the art world. He rejected a prestigious scholarship to the Royal College Of Art in London, unwilling to have his work homogenised, as he believed was inevitable for those who elected to attend art school. Such an outspoken attitude prompted the BBC to hone in on Cecil, with a documentary that branded him ‘The Quiet Rebel’.
Spending his life residing in the tranquillity of solitude, Cecil lived in the family home of his late parents, Charles and Hilda. His placidity, and love of the gritty, rural surroundings of his hometown, is reflected in his predominantly abstract work. Often exploring unorthodox materials in his painting – plaster, car-body filler and grate blacking – he consistently aired his uniquely creative flare. Through the sensual use of pinks, yellows and oranges amongst these household materials, Cecil demonstrated that he really was endowed with a profound intelligence and subtlety as a colourist.
Though making occasional sales throughout his career, Cecil often had to take on labouring jobs to keep his head above water financially. But the economic benefits of artistic success were never the driving force behind Cecil’s work, and he was certainly not inclined to forge connections for the benefit of business. Whether this was down to his humbleness, or his unyielding rejection of the commerciality of the art world, remains to be seen. But when the BBC returned to Cecil in 2008 to follow up on their original documentary, he told them: “I always think my work’s not that good. What do they want it for?”
Like so many artists, Cecil was perpetually plagued by self-doubt. However, the work displayed at Llantarnam Grange for this exhibition demonstrates that though his modesty may have been restrictive, his talent was truly extraordinary. This exhibition will display the best of Cecil’s body of work, including some previously unseen jewellery and 3-D pieces. CHARLIE COTTRELL
Admission: free
Info: 01633 483321 / www.lgac.org.uk