THE current exhibition at Oriel Q, Narberth, is a celebration of the life and work of Osi Rhys Osmond.

Osi was one of Wales’ most respected artists, authors, broadcasters and commentators on arts and culture through the medium of Welsh and English. His work always involved the close examination of nature and the human condition.

He was raised in Wattsville, South Wales, in a mining family, and was educated at  Newport School of Art, 1959-64, and Cardiff School of Art and University of Wales Cardiff, 1964-65 and 1976-77. He taught art in Narberth Grammar School and then was a visiting lecturer at Newport, Cardiff, Swansea and Carmarthen Schools of Art and St. David’s College/ University of Wales, Lampeter, and was head of foundation studies at Carmarthen School of Art between 1988 and 1996 before becoming a lecture in painting, drawing and history of art at Swansea Metropolitan University between 1996 and 2012.

Osi Rhys Osmond held many one-man exhibitions and has been amongst other eminent Welsh artists exhibiting their work at venues in Wales, London, Lithuania, Denmark and the USA. A prolific writer, he was the editorial consultant and contributor on visual culture for the Encyclopedia of Wales, published  by University of Wales Press, and was a regular contributor of reviews, criticism, and articles on art and culture for such titles as Planet, New Welsh Review, Golwg, Barn, Tu Chwith, Taliesin. He was working on book about the work of Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti - Seeking Giacometti when he died in March 2015. A remarkable film by Claire Sturgess, ‘My Brief Eternity’ was made in the last few months of Osi’s life and has won numerous awards.

His own broadcasting career enabled him to contribute to radio and television programmes for the BBC, including the Culture Show, Channel 4, as well as a 12 programme series, Byd O Liw (world of colour) 2005-2007, Art of the First World War, S4C, 2008, and a series of six programmes on colour - Lliwiau  (colours) for S4C, 2009.

His political activities were an important part of his work and life as an artist and he served as a County Councillor and stood as a parliamentary candidate on numerous occasions. He was a member of the Gorsedd y Beirdd  and of the Arts Council of Wales. In July 2013, Osi celebrated becoming an honorary fellow of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Osi had numerous exhibitions here over the years and was the patron of the Friends and a great supporter of Oriel Q Gallery which is in Narberth on the top floor of The Queens Hall and has been open for 20 years and supported by the Arts Council of Wales for 15 years mainly through lottery funding. This enables the gallery to showcase contemporary art and put on some challenging exhibitions, as well as holding two ‘open’ exhibitions a year. Osi presided over the annual auctions for 15 year which helped raise the money to sustain this gallery. Extra spaces have been developed, including the stairway which is mainly used for showing photography, and Oriel Fach, which is ideal for smaller exhibitions and video and film work. A further room has now been developed as a ‘white space’ - Oriel Fach Dau (2) where it is intended to hold workshops and further smaller exhibitions which will be more accessible with illustrative and figurative work.

A shop area is also being developed with books, cards, prints, jewellery and some art materials for sale. There is also a good selection of high quality ceramics and sculptures in display cases around the building.

It is with the support of artists such as Osi that helps keep this lovely gallery going, and we hope that you will come and celebrate this exhibition and support us in the future.

Details of previous and future exhibitions can be found on the website www.orielqueenshallgallery.org.uk or contact Lynne, the gallery manager and curator, on (01834) 869454 or email [email protected]

The exhibition runs until June 24.