INSPIRED by Welsh artist Kyffin Williams’ vision, well-know TV personality Rolf Harris, will travel to his friends hometown of Llangenfni to open an exhibition of his work.
‘Kyffin Williams - Portraits’ will open at the Oriel Ynys Môn on Friday, February 5. The exhibition will be unique, as it is the first time the paintings have been exhibited together.
Rolf became interested in the artwork of Kyffin, who died in 2006, after viewing his paintings at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Fascinated by the way he used the palette, Rolf was delighted when he was given the chance to meet him.
“Whenever me and my wife went to the Royal Academy we would always make a beeline for Kyffin Williams artwork. My wife had a dream of owning one of those magnificent paintings one day. Those paintings of Welsh farmers and dignitaries. Just wonderful.”
After visiting Kyffin Williams Rolf Harris became friends with him and before the artists death, Rolf painted a picture of the man he had come to know so well. The picture, which was inspired by a photograph taken at Kyffin’s home, will be exhibited amongst the portraits in Llangenfni.
Rolf said: “He never got to see the painting before he died, but I did send a copy of it to him and he said he loved it.”
Kyffin’s portraits range from eminent Welsh figures, women and children to the old Welsh Farmer. Talking about his portrait painting before his death he described how the people of Wales have always appeared to have an “unusual curiosity about their fellow men.” He believed his portrait paintings had been his best work.
Rolf, whose grandfather was a portrait painter from Merthyr Tydfil, said: “I came to Wales when I was 23 and it started to grow on me. Looking at Kyffins work I just love the way he used colour and how he separated it. Magnificent. I just wish I could have seen him working.”
The exhibition will be open to members of the public on Friday, February 5. The official opening will be invite only. Kyffin Williams - Portraits can be viewed from 10.30am-5pm up until July 11. Admission is free.