Christmas Exhibition at Ffin Y Parc Gallery
I am delighted to be exhibiting a new collection of paintings at Ffin y Parc Gallery’s Christmas Mixed Exhibition, alongside works by the gallery’s established artists.
This new body of work continues my exploration of historical imagery, symbolism and the passage of time, bringing together fragments of ancient architecture, devotional objects and the natural world. Each painting draws upon the enduring significance of these elements, reinterpreting their histories through richly worked surfaces and a contemporary, deeply personal perspective.
All works are available to purchase directly through the gallery and, unusually for an exhibition, may be taken home immediately upon purchase.
*The show officially launches on 27th November, between 6pm - 8pm, with Mulled Wine & Mince Pies! *
Ffin y Parc 4 Trinity Square Llandudno LL30 2RH North Wales
welshart.net Ralph and Craig +44(0)1492 642070 ralph@welshart.net
Gallery Hours: Tue - Sat 10-5pm
In moments of profound adversity, we are often forced to look past our perceived limits and navigate entirely unmapped territory. This intimate painting serves as my personal anchor for that journey. Grounded by the heavy, weathered textures of 17th-century tiles salvaged from Seville, the canvas carries the historical weight of the Latin motto PLVS VLTRA, transforming an old imperial slogan of conquest into a modern anthem for human resilience. Yet, survival requires more than just gritted determination; it requires hope. Rising above the grit of the earth, I have woven into the top of the canvas the celestial stars of a Sevillian Madonna’s Estrella crown. Together, these elements capture the delicate balance of our contemporary struggle: the grounded reality of enduring difficult times, beneath the quiet, guiding light that beckons us to keep moving further beyond.
46 × 31 cm | Framed 51 × 36 cm Oil, acrylic and walnut ink with gesso on board in a simple antique frame
In Avtvmni Copia, I explore the extraordinary abundance of nature as autumn reaches its fullest expression. The Latin title draws upon the classical notion of copia, symbolising plenty and prosperity throughout Renaissance art and allegory. An exuberant profusion of flowers emerges from a modest jug, capturing that fleeting moment when the garden offers its final splendour before winter. A celebration of nature’s generosity and the poignant beauty of its transience.
71 × 86 cm | Framed 104 × 120 cm Oil, acrylic and gesso on board in an ornate antique frame
In Stella Terrestris, I explore the relationship between the celestial and the earthly through objects rich in historical symbolism. A Spanish processional star rests alongside an 18th-century Manises lustreware dish, reflecting Valencia’s extraordinary Hispano-Moresque ceramic tradition. At its centre, a solitary egg evokes the ancient ovum mundi, or cosmic egg, symbolising the origins of life. Together, these objects become a contemplation of creation, faith and the enduring connection between the earthly and the divine.
62 × 82 cm | Framed 91 × 106 cm Oil and mixed media on Arches Oil Paper
In Solaris, a luminous lemon rests alongside a delicate branch of Solaris grapevine, both intrinsically connected to the warmth and life-giving presence of the sun. Drawing upon the historical symbolism of fruit and the vine, I explore themes of vitality, renewal and the cyclical passage of the seasons through the intimacy of a small still life.
21 × 35 cm | Framed 30.5 × 44 cm Oil, acrylic and gesso on board in an ebonised vintage frame
In Stella Impressa, an arrangement of historic domestic vessels rises from an atmospheric ground, crowned by a 17th-century Delft bottle bearing a solitary blue star. Beneath it, time worn pewter plates and dairy bowls evoke centuries of domestic life. Drawing upon the Renaissance tradition of emblematic symbolism, the star suggests divine guidance, creating a quiet dialogue between the earthly weight of these utilitarian objects and humanity’s enduring aspiration towards the heavens.
40 × 51 cm | Framed 56.5 × 67 cm Oil and gesso on board in a plain black ebonised vintage frame