Oriel Môn is delighted to announce the opening of the fifth Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize Exhibition.

The ‘Sir Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize’ was established by the Sir Kyffin Williams Trust and Oriel Môn, in partnership with The National Library of Wales and the The National Museum of Wales, in memory of Wales’s most prolific and best loved artist.

The prestigious drawing competition is held every three years with £3,000 awarded to the open prize winner and £1,000 awarded to each of the student prize winners.

This year the prize for the open competition goes to renowned artist Eleri Mills, for her wonderful ink drawing entitled ‘In the Valley – Towards the Bridge’.

Eleri, who hails from Mid Wales, said, “I am overjoyed to hear that I have won the Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize for 2021, especially as I got to know Kyffin during the 1990’s. I was invited to his home, Pwllfanogl on many occasions and I treasure the letters I received from him. Kyffin was so supportive of my work and it was he who introduced me to the Thackery Gallery, London, and who wrote the introduction to my first individual exhibition there in 2003. Winning therefore means even more to me because of the personal connection to Kyffin”.

The two student prizes go to Zack James Robinson and Orestas Norkus, both talented student from Coleg Menai, in Bangor.

Zack, who starts his second year of a BA Fine Art Degree in September, drew ‘Van Gough Replica’. He said, “I’ve always found art interesting, a way of expressing feelings which widens various possibilities. This piece I created for the competition is a replica of a popular painting by Van Gough ‘The Wheatfield with Cypresses’”.

The winning piece by Orestas is an architectural drawing called ‘Des Attentes Elevees’. Orestas explained, “My interest in architecture and the structure of different buildings started as I grew up in Lithuania. My art is inspired by my studies into different structures around the world and how shapes and linear forms create an impression on the spectator”.

This year’s prize has been generously sponsored by Mr Mike Davies, the internationally known architect, honoured with the award of ‘Légion d'Honneur’ from the French government and who was one of the founding partners in the company ‘Rogers, Stirk, Harbour and Partners’ who were the architects of the Senedd Building, Cardiff.

David Meredith, Chairman of the Sir Kyffin Williams Trust said, “It has given the Kyffin Williams Trust great pleasure to work in partnership with Oriel Môn, Llangefni, to organise the Drawing Prize again this year.”

“What inspires us all are Sir Kyffin’s basic creative principals, and his emphasis on the importance of the skill of drawing. Many congratulations to the winners, one (the first prize) an established artist, and the winners of the two student prizes”.

“On behalf of the Trust, I extend my thanks to fellow Welshman and internationally renowned architect, Mike Davies, who has with great excellence sponsored the Drawing Prize in 2021. Mr Davies was a pupil of Sir John Kyffin Williams when he was the Art Master at Highgate School in London in the 1950’s. I would also like to sincerely thank the Trust Partners in this venture - Oriel Môn. Many thanks to Senior Manager, Esther Roberts, and her staff, and especially Nicola Gibson, Visitor Experience Manager, for her dedicated and detailed arrangements for the Drawing Prize”.

He added, “As long as we can, the Trust will continue to extend the life enriching blessing of artistic creativity.”

This year The ’Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize’ judging panel were Lisa Taylor, Owein Prendergast, Gareth Parry and John Smith, and chaired by David Meredith.

Since the inaugural Drawing Prize competition was held in 2009, the number of artists applying has increased considerably, with entrants from all over Wales and England. This year has been particularly challenging with the pandemic forcing galleries and museums to close. However, despite two lockdowns the prize was still able to attract over 150 applicants with 63 of the best drawings chosen for the exhibition.

The winning art work of Eleri Mills, Zack James Robinson’s and Orestas Norkus’ along with the pieces produced by other shortlisted artists will be on display at the Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize Exhibition at Oriel Môn, from 16 October 2021 until 31 January 2022. The exhibition is free of charge; however, if you are unable to visit, you can view the whole exhibition online at www.orielmon.org.

Oriel Môn will be open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Customers will be expected to adhere to the safety procedures whilst on site.

Cafe Dewi Oriel Môn’s serving hours will be 10am to 3.45pm (last booking 3.15pm). Indoor and outdoor seating areas will be available and booking is advisable to avoid disappointment. All sittings are available for 1½ hours. To book a table in the café, call Café Dewi Oriel Môn: 01248 751 516.

For further information please contact: 01248 724444/oriel@ynysmon.llyw.cymru 

Ends 15 October 2021

For further information:
Nicola Gibson, Visitor Experience Manager
01248 752014
NicolaGibson@ynysmon.llyw.cymru