A NEW exhibition has opened its doors at Storiel, Gwynedd in April which brings together the work of artists Shani Rhys James and Stephen West. Having lived together for more than 45 years, the two have focused on different themes and approaches in their artistic practice.
The works in the exhibition will connect and contrast. The exhibition focuses on the ‘inner space’; mentally and physically. Whether it’s Shani’s powerful and emotional self-portraits in the studio or kitchen, or Stephen’s narrative that asks questions, explores perspective, his drawings often featuring architecture, figures, trees and animals.
Shani and Stephen have described the common thread between their work as: “Understanding and placing of persons in our internal or external lives in the actual or imagined space.
“This could be an inner space of the imagination or the symbolic space of a picture or the real space of a room – with its floors ceilings doors roofs or furniture and decoration.”
Esther Roberts, Storiel’s Visual Art Officer said: “In addition to loans from our national institutions, both have produced new work in response to Storiel’s building and collections.
“Shani has been inspired by one of the paisley dresses in the Storiel collection while Stephen has been inspired by the history and architecture of the building in his large-scale drawings.”
Councillor Medwyn Hughes, Cabinet Member for Economy and Community, Cyngor Gwynedd added: “We are very fortunate to be able to welcome this exhibition to Storiel. This has been made possible through the support of CELF – the National Contemporary Art Gallery of Wales project.
“This project is a valuable one that makes national collections more accessible to all, providing access through a loan programme across a network of Galleries across Wales, as well as digitally through the Celf ar y Cyd website.”
There was an excellent turnout to the exhibition opening on Friday, 11 April with Morfudd Bevan from the National Library of Wales saying a few words.
The exhibition will run until Saturday 28 June, 2025. Admission is free and all are welcome.
For more information visit the Storiel website.
