2021 is a very special year in the history of Oriel Môn, as it celebrates its thirtieth year of collecting and caring for art for the people of Anglesey. To mark this significant milestone the Oriel will be exhibiting an exciting selection of artworks from its collection. The exhibition tells the fascinating story of the Oriel’s conception and the individuals who were instrumental in securing its success as one of Wales’s premier museum and art galleries.
Oriel Môn was opened to the public on 25 October 1991. One of the principal reasons for having a museum and gallery was as a home for the internationally renowned Charles Tunnicliffe collection. Ian Jones, Buildings and Collections Manager, Oriel Môn said “through the dogged perseverance of admirers of Tunnicliffe’s work and the efforts of elected members of the Borough Council, together with funding from various sources, the entire collection was purchased from the artist’s estate before it was due to be sold by Christies in London in May 1981”.
Following years of planning and hard work Anglesey finally had its own public museum and art gallery, designed to showcase art and objects relating to our unique and fascinating island.
Another well-known Welsh artist who was very supportive of the establishment of Oriel Môn was Kyffin Williams. In 1990 just before the official opening, he made a large single gift of nearly 300 of his original drawings and watercolours to the Oriel. He continued with this generosity throughout his life, continuing to gift his own paintings as well as works by other artists. In 2008 Oriel Kyffin Williams was opened as a tribute to his great talent and generosity.
It is therefore very fitting that the exhibition ‘Your Collection’ will be shown in Oriel Kyffin Williams. As well as paintings by Kyffin Williams and Charles Tunnicliffe, you will also be able to see works by Gwilym Prichard, Wilf Roberts, Mary Lloyd Jones, Karel Lek, Gomer Lewis and Peter Prendergast to name but a few. We will also be showing works kindly donated by the families of artists Leonard McComb and Edrica Huws, as well as other exciting new acquisitions. Never before has so many works from the collection been shown together, giving the people of Anglesey and visitors to the island plenty of inspiration.
The exhibition ‘Your Collection’ runs from 3 July to 3 October 2021, and admission is free. Oriel Môn will be open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Customers will be expected to adhere to the safety procedures whilst on site. Booking a ticket to the exhibition in advance is advisable as visitor capacity on site is reduced.
To book your ticket please visit www.orielmon.org and go to the ‘how to plan your visit’ section.
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 1 ½ 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
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