Plas BrondanwSusan Williams-Ellis
Foundation (SWEF)

post@susanwilliamsellis.org

01766 770590

Exhibitions

We run a changing program of exhibitions throughout the year. We try to showcase a wide variety of work from conceptual to craft and design work, and we work with artists from all over the world. We exhibit works on all kinds of themes, but we are particularly interested in work that responds specifically to the location and its history and to the ideas of Clough and Amabel Williams-Ellis and their children about art, design, architecture, society, politics, planning, science, literature or any other matter they explored in their long and varied careers.

The 'Agored' and 'Agored Ifanc' exhibitions welcome applications from anyone, whether an experienced artist or a first-timer. We will set a theme for these shows which will vary from one year to the next, but based on pieces from the archive, which will be displayed opposite the contemporary works. Within the Open programme, we offer an emerging artist award and a people's award.

For more information about the awards, and how to submit work for the open exhibitions, follow the link to the 'applications' page, below.

We have decided to set a theme each year, going forwards. Items from the Susan Williams-Ellis archive will be curated according to the theme for the year, and this will also be the theme for the open and young open exhibitions. We invite artists who wish to have solo or group shows to consider responding to the theme, if they feel inspired to do so, although this is not a requirement. Events will also be curated to respond to the theme, where appropriate. The themes are deliberately broad and may be interpreted in any way that the artist feels is appropriate. The themes for the next five years are outlined below:

2023: Airbourne
2024: Transformation
2025: Space
2026: Animal / Vegetable / Mineral
2027: Disturbance
2028: The Sea

Upcoming Exhibitions

Philippa Anderson

Philippa Anderson – Landmarks II - 14 May – 9 July

Implied abstract imagery reveals conflict between beauty and dereliction. Classical romanticism and postmodernism combine with clashing qualities of drawing and painting. Images develop through series of intuitive acts, repeated application of thin films of ink, paint and drawing materials give depth to this personal painterly language. Layers are often removed by scrubbing or scraping, revealing a palimpsest of faded marks and former painterly decisions, exposing the underbelly, vulnerable and tender.

For the purpose of this exhibition at Plas Brondanw some works on show will be created in direct reference to the fire which struck the house in 1951. Other works on display will reflect the theme of dereliction and decay of imagined places. By employing her own unique palette and processes to both sets of work Philippa aims to produce a body of work which displays a cohesive narrative throughout the exhibition.

Philippa Anderson Philippa Anderson

Manon Awst

Manon Awst – Wetland Dreams - 15 July – 16 September

An exhibition of new sculptures and installations by Manon Awst, as a result of creative research on peatlands with Natural Resources Wales and Bangor University's BioComposites Centre. Supported by the Arts Council of Wales.

Therese Durrant

Thérèse Durrant – Patterns from Nature - 14 May – 9 July

Thérèse’s work tries to bring the outside in, evoking a feeling of freedom and a soothing connection with the natural world. Her fondness for repetitive motifs and patterns is a form of mindfulness practice, and the work she produces would lend itself to fabric or interior design.

She paints using watercolour, inks and acrylics, and uses a wide range of mark-making materials to create mixed media art, sometimes incorporating collage, printing, textiles, hand and machine stitching.

Siw Hughes and Christine Mills – 23 September – 11 November

Young Open 2023 – 18 November – 25 February

Young Open 2023 – 18 November – 25 February