The first features works that have come through the gallery in the past, some of which will be offered at the exhibition and all of which are illustrated in a new catalogue. All the work in that first show, which runs from April 6-May 6, is by artists who are now (and in some cases have long been) dead.
Such is the case with Gwen John (1876-1939), the modern Welsh painter who worked mostly in France. One of her works, Portrait of a Girl, is on loan at the first exhibition as one of the gallery’s past sales.
The second part, which runs from May 11-June 17, features a selection of paintings by living artists who have exhibited with the gallery in the past.
“I can scarcely believe that it is 25 years since Martin Tinney Gallery first opened its doors in a blaze – well, flicker really – of youthful optimism and not a little naivety,” Tinney writes in his introduction to the exhibition.
Peter Wakelin has also provided an essay for the first exhibition catalogue about the history of the gallery, where he discusses the hard work involved in getting the fresh venture off the ground.
“Martin began straightaway to take Welsh art to wider markets. He wanted to pit it against the best international art by showcasing it in London.
“It was gruelling and costly work, but in the next two decades he attended more than 60 art fairs, drawing in new customers and raising awareness of the quality of art from Wales.”
Tinney now owns both his gallery in Cardiff City Centre and Oriel Tegfryn in Anglesey, holding regular exhibitions at each.
