Buzz Magazine Buzz Magazine - July Issue | Page 34

art

ANEURIN MORGAN THOMAS:
EXPLORING A WIDER CANVAS

Penarth Pier Pavilion
Thurs 16 July-Mon 18 Aug
In terms of the artistic history of Wales,
Aneurin Morgan Thomas has to be
considered one of the greats. The first
ever Director of the Arts Council For
Wales, Thomas came from a working
class background in Cilybebyll and was
extremely passionate about breaking down
the ivory tower of art and making it open
to all. During his 18 years with there the
Arts Council’s grant-in-aid grew from a
measly £320,000 to £6.5 million in 1984.
Aneurin’s artwork itself gives a great
insight into an individual’s perception
of history as it was happening. His art,
poetry and diaries captured village life
in Wales after the Great War, army life
during the Second World War, the artistic
explosion of the 60s and the political
difficulties art faced in the 70s and 80s.
Though he was such a passionate
advocate for all forms of art, Thomas
was also a modest man and many of his
water colour paintings and touching
poetry was kept out of the public eye. In
this retrospective exhibition, there will be
many previously unseen pieces that give
an insight into the private life of the man.
Thomas passed away five years ago, after
many years of happy retirement in Penarth,
but his legacy is one that will remain in
the Welsh arts scene and the exhibition at
Penarth Pier’s Pavilion is set to be a fitting
tribute to this Welsh arts great.
Admission: