CHESTER ART GALLERY TO STAGE MAJOR EXHIBITION OF WELSH ART

Final preparations are underway at a Chester art gallery for the staging of a major exhibition featuring the work of a Cheshire born artist whose paintings capture the rugged beauty of the Isle of Anglesey, the place she has called home for the last 60 years.

The exhibition, which opens at Gorstella Gallery at Tudor Farm in Dodleston near Chester from Thursday 12th May at 6.30pm features a retrospective of works by acclaimed artist Audrey Hind RCA which spans her 60-year career from the 1960s to the present day. Works by David Grosvenor, Christopher Rainham and Colin Halliday will also be on display, with all paintings and a number of limited-edition prints available to purchase.

The exhibition will include a drinks reception on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th between 6.30pm and 9.00pm. Viewings will also be available on Saturday 14th, Sunday 15th, Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd May between 11am and 5.00pm and thereafter by appointment. There will also be an opportunity to meet artist Audrey Hind at the opening of the exhibition on Thursday 12th May.

Born in Cheshire, Audrey Hind, studied at Northwich College of Art, Manchester and Liverpool Colleges of Art. A resident of Anglesey since 1962 and a member of the Royal Cambrian Academy(RCA) since 1978, her paintings are influenced by living on the island under the shadow of the mountains of Snowdonia and surrounded by the Irish Sea. Audrey's work can be found in both private and public collections throughout the UK including those of HM The Queen Mother, British Steel, Unilever, Anglesey Borough Council, Shell UK and The National Library of Wales. Audrey's works are a mix of watercolour, mixed media and oil paintings. In 1983, Audrey was Artist/Printmaker in Residence at Port Sunlight.

Audrey, who at 85, is still producing new work said "I wish to express my thanks and gratitude to Gorstella Gallery for honour of this Retrospective Exhibition showing examples of my work over 60 years on Anglesey".

The gallery which was founded in 1990 by Peter and Klazien Bullivant is now run by their daughter Bridget who said "For over 60 years, Audrey has been painting the Anglesey landscape and this exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to see the best in Welsh art."

Full details about the exhibition and Gorstella Gallery can be found at:

www.gorstellagallery.co.uk

Gorstella Gallery can be found at Tudor Farm, Kinnerton Road, Dodleston, Chester, CH4 9LP

Pictured - Artist Audrey Hind RCA whose work will be featured in a major new exhibition at Gorstella Gallery in Dodleston, Chester.