PRESS RELEASE

16 | 08 | 23

Menna Angharad
 Artist Residency at Plas Brondanw

The Orangery, 21^stto 31^stAugust 2023

Menna Angharad |Cotton Grass| oil on linen canvas

This August, still life painter Menna Angharad undertakes a ten-day art residency in the beautiful setting of Plas Brondanw, Gwynedd.Mennawas born and raised amid the rural beauty and unique artistic culture of North Walesas thedaughter of celebrated designer Susan Williams-Ellis, and thegranddaughter ofrenowned 20^thcentury architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who designed the Grade I listed gardens of Plas Brondanw. Inspired by the gardens of Renaissance Italy, they are laid out as a series of enclosed ‘rooms' enhanced by strong architectural influences including fountains, topiary, pools and avenues of trees that frame a series of superb views of Snowdonia National Park. The garden is now considered to be among Clough Williams-Ellis's most important creations.

During her residency, Menna will be working in Plas Brondanw's beautiful Orangery, exploring new approaches to her art and experimenting with painting techniques and still life interpretations, all inspired by aspects of a garden which is of real significance to her personal history. Throughout the residency, visitors are welcome to meet the artist and view her paintings in progress.

Menna says: "As a trained botanist and lover of the natural world I empathise with growing things, and painting is a way for me to explore their vibrant existence. When I paint an object, I give it the status of a character sitting for a portrait. I want to show my subjects respect. I would like people who encounter my work to see it as an opening, a space to step into and feel a connection to the subject, to feel an empathy. The oldest art is figurative, and the possibilities of representational art are infinite, but always accessible".

Menna Anghard studied Botany before training at Byam Shaw School of Art in London and gaining an MA in Fine Art from Cardiff University. She lives and works at her studio near the historic market town of Hay-on-Wye, creating oil on linen canvas works that explore the powerful simplicity of everyday objects. In 2015 she was awarded the People's Prize at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, and her work is held in the Jerwood Foundation Painting Collection. Menna exhibits extensively in Wales, the wider UK and France.

Plas Brondanw,Llanfrothen, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6SW.Gardens open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Sunday year round. See plasbrondanw.org and mennaangharadpainter.co.uk

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Print Ready 300dpi images for press use:

MENNA ANGHARAD Cotton Grass
 

For further press information or additional images contact Mercedes Smith at Fine Art Communications director@fineartcommunications.co.uk / Tel 07825 270235 / www.fineartcommunications.co.uk