Two large-scale, long-running exhibitions have just opened at Cardiff’s National Museum Wales. David Hurn: Swaps presents over 2,000 photos from the titular photographer’s collection. Spanning almost an entire lifetime, the documentarian’s favourite pastime is full of fascinating windows into the nation’s history, both big and small.
The second National Museum show in Cardiff, set to be displayed for around 18 months, ambitiously questions The Rules Of Art through displaying the museum’s collection in a very different way; specifically, reappropriating the 17th century’s introduction of the “hierarchy of genres,” from history painting to still life. With canonical names like Rembrandt and Picasso juxtaposed with newer ones, including 2018 Eisteddfod winner Zoe Preece, The Rules Of Art? breathes new life into older pieces in order to tackle pressing issues of the present-day, such as representation and the environment.
See What’s On at National Museum Wales
National Museum, Cardiff. Swaps is on until Sun 27 Mar; The Rules Of Art? until Sun 16 Apr 2023. Admission: free. Info: Swaps / The Rules Of Art?
words HANNAH COLLINS
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