That was the question posed by local artist Alan Rees-Baynes (Elm Grove Country House, St. Florence) to visitors to Tenby museum over the summer.

Two paintings were selected - one by Gwen John and one by Edward Joseph-Head, both depicting scenes of the local area. Visitors were asked to give their thoughts/responses to the pieces in just two words.

The award-winning poet Gillian Clarke and Sue Roe (the author of a biography of Gwen John) also provided two word responses towards the painting by Gwen John

Each set of two words was collected and sent to Alan who, in the meantime was producing two paintings that mimic the tones of the originals with a more simplified palette. These simplified shades of black to white via several greys, were used to allow colour to be brought to each painting using the words which were painted over Alan’s pieces. These words depicted a similar shade that existed on the original, with some letters consisting of several colours. This was the first time words have been treated in this way in the artist’s text-based paintings.

Alan Rees-Baynes said: “I am very grateful for all the words supplied by the visitors/responders, and they have become an important feature in the completion of two paintings. I hoped that in this age of frantic shuffling, and our constantly on the move lifestyle, people would take a moment and enjoy the presence of these two paintings, resulting in a two-word response. There is still a real place in our lives for paintings, and their ability to trigger thought in today’s society.”

The paintings will be on display at Tenby Museum and Gallery for the next few months.

To find out more about the artist, visit www.alanreesbaynes.co.uk