BBC Wales and BBC Four will bring viewers a breath-taking visual tour of the nation to celebrate St David’s Day.
From prehistoric to present day, Huw Stephens will present the story of the art of Wales as part of BBC Wales’ St David’s Day celebrations.
For the first time on network television, the full story of the remarkable riches of the art of Wales will be set out – as well as the places, people and history that inspired it.
Starting in a Neolithic chambered cairn on Anglesey, and finishing with a 21st century artwork inspired by refugee blankets, this series spans the history of the nation and sees it through the lens of Welsh art.
Presented by broadcaster Huw Stephens who won a Bafta Cymru award for his documentary exploring the Welsh music scene in 2019, The Story Of Welsh Art will take viewers on a breath-taking visual tour of the nation, from stunning bronze-age artefacts to delicate medieval stained glass, from gentry portraits by master painters to folk art, some of the most thrilling and ground-breaking landscape art in the world to award-winning cutting edge contemporary pieces.
The series will include both art made in Wales by homegrown artists as well as depictions of Wales by world-renowned artists.
Produced by Wildflame Productions, this three-part landmark production airs on BBC Two Wales and BBC Four begins on St David’s Day at 9pm, and will bring the history of Welsh art to life in HD for the first time.
Huw Stephens says: “I think most viewers will, like me, be amazed at the all the wonderful Welsh art they just don’t know about – there really is so much to discover. It’s a rich and fascinating story and it’s been a privilege to tell it on television and bring it to audiences across the UK. I’ve always been interested in art from and about Wales but doing this series has given me some new national heroes.
“We filmed in some spectacular places – so much of Welsh art is about our stunning landscape and I got to stand on the spot where some of the very best artworks have been created – in Snowdonia, Ceredigion, Powys – although funnily enough, we start the series on an industrial estate in Nantgarw, north of Cardiff. We were given access to the stores of National Museum Wales which was like going into Aladdin’s Cave – an absolute treasure trove of Welsh art.”
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