Philip Watkins
I am interested in townscapes and the urban environment, particularly seaside resorts or industrial sites/estates and parks - anywhere where human activity comes up against nature. I like to contrast the artificial patterns of the architecture with natural forms. Often the places that act as starting points for paintings have a particular personal meaning for me, sometimes they are just places I come across where I get a particular sort of feeling of desertion.
I left Newport Art College in 1977 with a degree in Fine Art. I've painted ever since, though sometimes the jobs I've taken to pay the bills have taken over for a time (I spent 12 years in animation - winning a BAFTA and an EMMY as part of the Siriol Animation Team). I also taught drawing to young offenders and worked for seven years as a full-time youth worker on some of Cardiff's peripheral housing estates.Talking to young people in the drizzle of a February evening on some council estate has been an influence. In 2002 I stopped work to paint full time, though I still taught a few Adult Education classes. In 2020 I was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus. After intensive radio and chemotherapy I underwent , what ended up being, three operations. This has resulted in my not having the same strength and stamina in my arm when it comes to easel painting. Hence I have been making lots of work on paper - for the simple reason that I can work flat. I have also reverted to a simple pleasure in just painting light.
Solo exhibitions. 2022, 'Out of the Ordinary', Oriel Canfas, Cardiff. 2019 - 'Inside Out', the Pop Factory, Porth, Rhondda. 2018 - Philip Watkins, Llanover Hall, Cardiff. 2009 - A Difference . of Hours, Coron Gallery, San Francisco 2009 - Another Time, Another Place, Llanover Hall Arts Centre, Cardiff 2008 - Missing Person, Washington Gallery, Penarth (Cardiff) 2006 - The Distant Sound of an Ice-Cream Van, Bianco Nero Gallery, Stokesley, North Yorks. 2004 - Focal 2004, Ruthin 2003 - You are here, Washington Gallery, Penarth 1992 - Philip Watkins (part of Welsh Arts, Moving Pictures), Cwmbran, Gwent.
Group exhibitions :- Cardiff M.A.D.E. Winter Open, 2024. BEEP Painting Prize Biennale 2024 (Shortlisted Artist), Elysium Gallery, Swansea. Friends of Llanover Hall 2024, Llanover Hall, Cardiff. Turner House Open 2024, Penarth. Cowbridge Open 2024. National Eisteddfod of Wales, Pontypridd, 2024. 'About Time', (First of) Welsh Group '8 Shows' series] March 2024, Queen's Street Gallery, Neath, Cardiff M.A.D.E. Summer Open, 2023. 'Celf Gwyrdd', The Welsh Group, Mid-Wales Arts Centre, 2023, The Welsh Group ' In Focus', 75th Anniversary of the Welsh Group, Y Gaer, Brecon Museum, 2023. Welsh Group, 'Across Two Valleys'. Red House, Merthyr Tydfil (also at Cynon Valley Museum, Aberdare) 2022. Welsh Group, Turner House, Penarth, 2022. National Eisteddfod of Wales, Lle Celf, Tregaron, 2022.Cowbridge Open, Old Hall, Cowbridge. 'Curious Minds', The Flux Review, Online Exhibition' 2022. Figurative Art Now', online exhibition, 2021. 'Just Paint', S18 Gallery, Pontycymmer, 2018. National Eisteddfod of Wales, Lle Celf, Y Senedd, Cardiff Bay, 2018 (Prize-winner). Oriel Canfas, Christmas Show. Oriel Canfas, 2017. 'Friends of Llanover Hall', Llanover Hall, Cardiff, 2017. 2016/2017, 'City Stories', Mission Gallery, Swansea. 2016, 'Nonarchy', MadeinRoath, Cardiff. 2016, 'Nonarchy', Undegun, Wrexham. 2015, Welshcape, Kickplate Gallery, Abertillery. 2015, Welshscape, St. Donats Art Centre. 2014 Solve Et Coagula, Abacus Gallery, Cardiff, 2013 Gaeaf, St. David's Hall, Cardiff, 2012 - BEEP. Through Tomorrow's Eyes-Welsh International Painting Prize Exhibition, Elysium Artspaces, Volcano Theatre, Swansea. 2012 - Painting Wales, New Leaf Gallery, Monmouth 2011 - St. David's Hall Christmas Exhibition, Cardiff., St. David's Hall, Cardiff 2006. Gallery Redbill, Shotton, Flint 2006 - 'Keepers of the Flame' The South Wales Painting Tradition, Oriel Washington Gallery, Penarth 2006 - Sefton Open, Atkinson Gallery, Southport 2005 - 'A Rare Chance To See...', Washington Gallery, Penarth 2003 - National Eisteddfod of Wales, Meifod 2002 - Animalia, Renaissance Gallery, Kemeys Commander, USK 2002 - First Anniversary Exhibition, The Hunter Gallery, Long Melford, Suffolk 2002 - The Horse in Art, Obsidian Art Gallery, Stoke Mandeville 2002 - Washington Gallery, Penarth 1994 - Art and the Racecourse, Osborne Studio Gallery, London 1994 - Save Tower Colliery, Rhondda 1989 - White Horse, Studio Exhibition, Art Approach, Chepstow 1978 - Three man show, Sherman Theatre, Cardiff