The Patchwork Artist
Ann Fletcher-Williams at The Patch, near Gwbert, Ceredigion
You can join artist Ann Fletcher-Williams as she creates new abstract works inspired by her local landscape and the traditions of Welsh quilt-making at the Seagull, Cardigan SA43 1HA, from Saturday 10 August to Saturday 17 August. The gallery is free to enter and open from 10.30am to 4pm each day.
Ann has lived in Cardigan since 2022 but has been a regular visitor to this part of Wales since she was 15 months old. Family holidays in Newport, Pembrokeshire, forged a lifelong love affair with the majestic hills, rugged coast and endlessly fascinating shoreline of west Wales.
Patchworks/Clytwaith is a new collection of colourful paintings based on the richly layered history of Welsh patchwork and Ann’s local estuary at The Patch beach near Gwbert in Ceredigion. The paintings reflect Ann’s special relationship with Wales and the Ceredigion landscape; its shapes, textures, contrasts, and hidden elements. She uses mixed media, mainly acrylic paint and collage with oil pastels, to make her paintings and enjoys exploring what colour can be in relation to the landscape.
Chain of water
She says: I am excited to be part of the Ceredigion Art and Craft Trail Open Studios event. It is a fantastic opportunity to show my paintings and let people see me working. I’ll be in the Seagull everyday with my paints, collage papers and glue creating new pieces for my Patchworks/Clytwaith series. The new paintings are inspired by The Patch beach at the mouth of the Teifi, especially the old boats with their flaking paint and splintered timbers. I love their textures and the way they are like old residents of the river. I am also fascinated by Welsh patchwork with its layered history and vibrant colours, stitching and textures.
cascade
Jamie Herschel, chair of Ceredigion Art and Craft Trail, says: “It’s exciting that we will be able to see Ann working on her new paintings in a public gallery space. The annual Open Studio Trail weeks are a brilliant opportunity for visitors to see artists at work. This year there will be 45 of our Ceredigion Art Trail members participating from 10 to 26 August, right across the county of Ceredigion.
“Ann’s Open Studio exhibition features more than 30 paintings, including 15 brand new Patchworks/Clytwaith works, and pieces from her previous series that have not exhibited before. The exhibition will also showcase her ever popular sketchbooks which give a real glimpse into the working practice of a contemporary abstract artist.”
Ann trained as a fine artist at Sunderland University before building a highly successful career as an exhibition curator, gallery manager and university lecturer. Most recently she has worked for Arts Council England developing creative diversity in the North of England before returning to art-making in 2020. Ann is part of Oriel Ty Llwyd/Grey Gallery in St Dogmaels and her work can also be seen at Ann Goodfellow at Ivy House Gallery in Llandeilo.
Further information: https://annfletcher-williamsart.com.
Ceredigion Art and Craft Trail: ceredigionarttrail.org.uk.
