Last Friday evening, the Arts Club was pleased to welcome Sheila Edwards, an artist from Swansea, whose talk was entitled 'Comparisons and Contrasts in Painting' showing us how painting has developed from the pre-Christian era to the present day (writes J. R.).
The speaker began by telling us that there is no right way to paint a scene. From light and shade and colour have been used very differently by artists over the centuries.
In the pre-Christian era, painters were concerned almost entirely by the Gods, death and the afterlife with no attempt at reality. This was illustrated by an ancient Egyptian painting where the characters were flat, one-dimensional and expressionless in a completely bare background.
Later on, Sheila Edwards made a comparison between this and a similar subject by a 20th century Cornish painter, Alfred Wallace.
In the middle ages, art was used as an aid to teaching. Figures became more solid and realistic. Throughout the middle ages, realism became an important feature in painting. Figures became characteristic of their surroundings.
The 18th and 19th centuries saw artists such as J.M.W. Turner bring realism and dramatic effect to a new level. Towards the end of the 19th century, impressionism was initiated by a school of French painters such as Monet, Manet, Renoir, Pissarro and Digas who used the effects of light and atmosphere rather than form and structure.
In the 20th century, some painters rebelled against what had become traditional style, qubism, surrealism and the abstract reminded us of the flat paintings in ancient times.
Bringing us up to date, the speaker showed us the work of Paul Klee, Picasso and Braque, the St. Ives group and, closer to home, of Kyffin Williams and Ceri Richards. All these artists used form, light and colour in their own ways with varying effects.
In the development of her talk, Sheila Edwards illustrated clearly how the elements of painting have been used over many centuries, changing continually, but also having some similarities.
The evening had been most interesting and informative. The chairman, Doreen Hammersly, thanked Sheila very warmly for her hard-work and time spent putting such an excellent programme together for us.
Tonight (Friday), we look forward to welcoming the photographer Chris Tancock who will give us an illustrated talk on 'Art and Photography.' All are welcome to Church House at 8 pm. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.