ORIEL MÔN is excited to open its doors to a brand-new exhibition celebrating the many wonderful characters of Ynys Môn by artist Celia Hume.
Celia Hume, a batik artist originally from Shropshire, has always been captivated by painting and colour, drawing inspiration from the natural landscapes surrounding her. She pursued her passion academically, studying the history of art alongside fine art, and later completed a second degree in visual art and design while teaching in Manchester. Following her studies, Celia illustrated book covers and magazines, showcasing her artistic versatility.
During the lockdown, Celia explored batik techniques, discovering a medium rich with potential. This experimentation led her to develop a unique contemporary style, with a particular focus on portraiture. Her work has been exhibited by prestigious organisations, including The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, The Society of Women Artists, The Royal Cambrian Academy, and ING Discerning Eye.
In 2021, after many years of visiting Ynys Môn, Celia made the island her home. Prior to her move, she began learning the Welsh language and subsequently established a Welsh language group in Benllech village, fostering a supportive community for learners.
Celia’s integration into local life has been a priority, allowing her to connect with many individuals who share their rich stories of island life, both past and present. Through this experience, she gained a profound appreciation for the Welsh language as a vital aspect of local identity and the importance of preserving Welsh culture.
Celia noticed that there are many stunning landscapes of the island shared on social media and in galleries, but not many portraits of the people. She decided to create an exhibition of portraits.
She said: “Ieuan Williams, a friend made through the Welsh language group, has been a great support throughout the project. He has recorded interviews with each sitter, that reveal the personal narratives behind each portrait.”
This project highlights the intrinsic link between storytelling and portraiture, as each artwork embodies a unique story. Following the tradition of surface textile design, Celia creates patterns and images to complement the portrait, drawing inspiration from the shapes, colours, and patterns found in nature.
Nicola Gibson, Visitor Experience Manager, Oriel Môn, staid: “It’s refreshing to see an exhibition that represents the island through its people rather than its landscape.
“Celia has manged to tell the story of our island in a very original and fresh way and I’m sure a lot of our visitors will be delighted when they recognise many of the characters that are up on the walls.”
The exhibition features a diverse range of sitters, from centenarian who has lived in the same cottage all her life to an individual who analysed moon rocks from every Apollo mission. The exhibition will not be the end of this project, as a suggestion wall will be available for visitors to recommend interesting characters for future portraits, and Celia will continue to share her work on Instagram at @poblmon1.
You can view Celia’s exhibition until June 15. Oriel Môn is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00am to 5.00pm and admission is free.
For further information please contact, 01248 724444 or visit the Oriel Môn website.
