Module Information

For much of the twentieth century, Wales – often seen as the land of poets and choristers – was deemed to lack a visual tradition. It did not have an art history. The history of Welsh artists would, wrote David Bell in 1957, amount to a ‘play with a few stars but without cast or script’. Yet since the 1980s public institutions, curators and academics have contested the notion that Wales is without artistic tradition. Welsh artists, they argued, had for decades suffered from comparison with their English or European counterparts instead of valued for their own merits and in the Welsh context. A paucity of information and want of critical attention saw Welsh artists marginalised or excluded from our art histories. Today, Wales’ artistic heritage is being studied, displayed and celebrated. As side-lined groups, individuals and artworks are recovered, so is the country’s rich and diverse art history uncovered.

This module examines the practice, patronage, study and display of art in Wales since the 18th century. It deals with visual culture of Wales as well as debates surrounding tradition and the perceived Welshness of Welsh art. It focusses on emergent artistic cultures in light of the historical, political, social and religious history of Wales with reference to the revivals of national consciousness. Writing on art in Wales is examined in relation to late nineteenth-century as well as contemporary notions of Welsh art and art and nationality. Welsh artists working in Wales and beyond, as well as immigrant artists working in Wales, are identified as exemplars of either a unique contribution to, or general trends in art in Wales. Artworks, historical literature and a growing body of contemporary research are brought together to present both a general overview as well as specialised insights.

Taught by a team who have published widely in this field, the module encourages students to engage in primary research as well as artefact and textual analysis using the collections of the School of Art Museum and National Library of Wales.

1. ​Culture and Society in 18th- and 19th-century Wales. L
2. Patronage: Collecting for Self and Nation. L
3. Making the Wilderness Smile: Thomas Johnes and Hafod. L
4. Exploring Research Topics: Behind the Scenes at the National Library of Wales. S
5. Art and Industry: the South Wales Landscape in the late 18th and 19th Centuries. L
6. Speculations on the Ideal Welsh Art: Christopher Williams ‘an artist and nothing else’. S
7. Research in Action: Guest Speaker. L
8. Wales, its Landscapes and a National Identity. L
9. Valleys of Vision: Evan Walters, Vincent Evans, Josef Herman and George Chapman’s Rhondda. S
10. Art, Mining and Religion: Nicholas Evans and Miner-Artists in Wales. L
11. International Modernism: Émigré artists, the 56 Group Wales, Arts Council Wales and Artes Mundi. L