'Elemental', the title of Leonard Beard's new mixed media exhibition at the Oriel Q Gallery, Queen's Hall, Narberth, embraces the ubiquitous spirit and power of nature in all its forms. Whether with his tumultuous seascapes and craggy rocks, his depiction of cornfields with bitter hawthorns, neglected and derelict farmsteads, a still life of flowers, the exuberance of colour in a dawn and sunset, or the workmanlike illustration of paint-pots on an artist's table - all come within his view. Born in London in the 1940s and after a period in the Merchant Navy which gave Leonard a flavour of living by the sea, he settled in South Wales in the 1970s and then moved to Pembrokeshire eight years ago overlooking the Irish Sea at Goodwick. Leonard's work has been exhibited in major galleries in South West Wales and has been selected for Royal Academy Shows, MOMA Open Exhibition and the Welsh Artist of the Year. His determination to remain a free spirit and his ability to continually evolve, despite the contraints of commerical pressures, has meant that he encompasses a wide range of subject matter. "It's much more than the attempt to draw in people from all walks of life, I'm highly committed to opening up access to art for everyone," Leonard said. His work, weaving and integrating images drawn from the natural environment, is not easily categorised, but as ever he continues to explore the connection between figurative and abstract form and the relationship of light and dark and this is one of the key themes in this forthcoming exhibition. On The Staircase are the beautiful textures and colours of 'Shadows', a photographic exhibition by Juliette Lynge. Juliette has just completed a course at West Wales School of Art and this collection of photographs has developed into a series of beautiful patterns more akin to mark making. In the smaller gallery - Oriel Fach - is a touring exhibition from the University of Wales Aberystwyth School of Art, entitled 'Taking Tea' - a delightful display of cups and teapots with examples from Victorian times through to modern day ceramics. All exhibitions run from September 8 to 30. Gallery opening: Wednesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm and most Tuesdays. Telephone to check on 01834 869454/861212.
