Christopher Williams

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Examining the contradiction between Williams' typical subject matter and his beliefs.

Study of the work of Maesteg artist Christopher Williams. Starts with portrait of Williams with a look inside the house where he was brought up, now a Nail Care centre in the town. Has view of one of his paintings - 'The Red Dress' and film of a celebratory plaque that is on the wall of the Nail Care Centre. Presenter Kim Howells visits Maesteg Town Hall to look at 5 of his paintings that are exhibited there. Robert Meyrick, head of Aberystwyth School of art discusses Williams' belief in 'art for the masses, not only the classes'. View of Williams' painting ' Wales Awakening' and 'Prince of Wales Investiture' with a discussion on the surprising reactionary subject matter and technique for a boy from Maesteg who viewed himself as a socialist. Meyrick points out that as an artist trying to make his sole living from his art he needed to paint such pictures in order to make a living and further his career. Politically he would have been torn by the need to make contacts with the great and good of the time, but he saw it as an opportunity to have his views listened to by people with influence. Discussion on portrait of Lloyd George in his 'regalia'.
From: Framing Wales Episode 1
First Broadcast : 24 February 2011

Teachers' notes

Age Group : 7-9,9-11,11-14

Subject : History, Art & Design

Topic : Twentieth century world, Art history, Painting and drawing, Portraits

Keywords : Welsh artists, Maesteg, Symbolism, Politics, Christopher Williams, History of Welsh Art, Social context,

Notes : Students can explore his work - if possible a visit to Maesteg Town Hall to see the exhibition. Examine the symbolism in his paintings. Try to recreate a painting in the style of Williams. Examine the contradictions between his subject matter and his political beliefs.See Christopher Williams for a blog on his life.


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