A major immersive experience celebrating the life and work of Welsh artist Kyffin Williams will open at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth this October.
The free Profiad Kyffin Experience will mark 20 years since the artist gifted much of his life’s work to the nation.
Williams entrusted the Library with more than 1,200 works on paper, 200 oil paintings and over 300 original prints. The institution now holds the largest collection of his work in the world.
Specially transformed rooms at the Library will allow visitors to step into a curated collection of his paintings, with landscapes and animals brought to life through digital technology.
Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Heledd Fychan said: “Kyffin Williams’ contribution to art and Welsh culture is immeasurable. It is fantastic to see his work on display at the National Library of Wales, helping make these iconic paintings accessible to a wider audience. This exciting experience offers a fresh perspective on his work while inspiring new generations to discover and appreciate one of Wales’ most celebrated artists.”
The new attraction forms part of the Library’s commitment to preserving, sharing and improving access to its collection.
Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Chief Executive of the National Library of Wales, said: “Our relationship with Kyffin Williams spans more than 70 years, from our first purchase of his work in 1949 to the remarkable bequest he left us in 2006. Twenty years on, we want to introduce him to a new generation in a way he could scarcely have imagined, and to do so in the institution he entrusted with his legacy.
“This is exactly the kind of experience the Library is committed to deliver: inclusive, collaborative, and digitally innovative. We’re expecting a lot of interest and visitors are encouraged to go to the Library’s website to book a slot in advance of their visit.”
Williams’ landscapes have come to define a national sense of place, while his portraits and studies of animals include the sheepdogs found on the hill farms he painted.
His works have been digitised in detail to retain the texture of the original paintings when they are projected.
Dennis Outten of Focal Studios said: “Every brushstroke in Kyffin’s paintings has been mapped and reconstructed in extraordinary detail, so we can project his landscapes without losing any of that texture. It’s been a genuine privilege working this closely with his work.”
Born in Llangefni, Anglesey, in 1918, Williams studied at the Slade School of Art before returning to Wales. He spent the remainder of his career as a landscape and portrait painter, became a Royal Academician and received a knighthood in 1999.
He is widely regarded as the defining Welsh artist of the 20th century.
The experience has received principal funding from Colwinston Charitable Trust.
Its founder and chair, Mathew Prichard CBE, said: “The Colwinston Trust is delighted to celebrate 30 years of working with many high quality arts organisations across the UK by awarding a special Anniversary Grant to support this immersive Kyffin experience at the National Library of Wales later this year.
“We are thrilled to support this landmark immersive experience here in Wales, in the institution Kyffin trusted with his life’s work. Twenty years on, it feels the right moment to help a new generation discover and enjoy the work of this magnificent Welsh artist.”
The Welsh Government and the Friends of the National Library of Wales are also supporting the experience.
Full details, including information about booking, will be announced in the coming weeks.
