Shani Rhys James

Shani Rhys James MBE
Born 1953
Melbourne, Australia
Spouse Stephen West
Nationality Australian/Welsh
Field Oil painting
Training St Martin's School of Art, London
Awards Jerwood Painting Prize
BBC Wales Visual Art Award
Royal National Eisteddfod Gold Medal for Fine Art
Glyndwr Award
Elected Royal Cambrian Academy of Art

Shani Rhys James MBE (born 1953, Melbourne, Australia[1]) is a Welsh painter based in Llangadfan, Powys. She has been described as "arguably one of the most exciting and successful painters of her generation"[1] and "one of Wales’ most significant living artists".[2] She was elected to the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art in 1994.[3] In the 2006 New Years Honours she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for "services to art".[1]

Contents

Education and career

In 1976 Rhys James obtained a degree in Fine Art at St Martin's School of Art, London.[1] She later moved to Mid-Wales to live and work, taking her young family with her.[4]

Rhys James is known particularly for her melancholy self portraits.[5] When she is not painting herself she generally paints other women, still lives, domestic scenes or "riotously spiky and rip-roaring" vases of flowers. Art critic Michael Glover says "There's something mad, wild and thuggish about this work, such is its total lack of restraint. It seems to be gulping at colour... She lathers and slathers on the paint with a kind of unrestrained glee. No wonder the eyes of the model are always slightly bulbous with a kind of childish wonderment".[6]

Rhys James has been elected to the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art and the 56 Group Wales.[3]

In 2011 the artist and entertainer, Rolf Harris, included Rhys James in a BBC TV series on 'great' Welsh artists. She was the only living artist included. Harris painted a self portrait in the style of Rhys James, using a small hand mirror and looking at his face 'as a landscape'.[7]

Rhys James has exhibited across Europe, also in the USA, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia.[3] She is represented by the Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff.

Solo exhibitions

Listed by BBC Wales Arts webpage unless otherwise stated.[1]

Prizes and awards

Listed by Martin Tinney Gallery unless otherwise stated.[3]

Personal life

Shani Rhys James is the daughter of a Welsh father and an Australian mother.[1] and came to the UK as a child. She is married to artist Stephen West[1] and has two children.[4]

Rhys James has bought a second home in Charente, France (2010), where she spends a lot of time.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i BBC Wales Arts Shani Rhys James, last updated 28 September 2010. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  2. ^ a b Matt Thomas Shani Rhys James revels in French connection, Western Mail, 8 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  3. ^ a b c d Martin Tinney Gallery Shani Rhys James MBE RCA b.1953. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  4. ^ a b Stephanie McNicholas Meet the women leading Wales, Western Mail, 12 November 2003. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  5. ^ Susie Wild Art: On Reflection, Metro, 8 July 2008. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  6. ^ Michael Glover Shani Rhys James, Connaught Brown, London: Mad dashes and flying colours, The Independent, 17 June 2009. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  7. ^ Can you tell who it’s by yet? - Rolf Harris, Western Mail, 12 February 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-07.

External links