The talented Mr Griffiths; ARTS & CULTURE Portrait artist David Griffiths has just been awarded an MBE for services to art. He told Rachel Mainwaring about his colourful career...
Byline: David GriffithsDAVID Griffiths has painted portraits of some of the most eminent figures in contemporary society. From HRH Prince Charles to Welsh acting legend Sian Phillips and rugby star Shane Williams, he has spent more than 50 years painting the great and the good of Welsh society.
And with portraits of the likes of political giant Nye Bevan, former Prime Minister Lord Callaghan, singer Bryn Terfel and Welsh rugby great Barry John, it's little wonder that he has just been awarded an MBE for services to art.
His subjects have included royalty, ambassadors, archbishops and distinguished members of government, industry, commerce, medicine, academia and the legal profession.
David, who now lives in Cardiff but was brought up in Pwllheli, met up again with Prince Charles at his recent investiture ceremony held at Buckingham Palace - and David said Prince Charles reminded him about his portrait-sitting of 50 years earlier.
David said: "The occasion of that painting was a depiction of the Prince receiving the Freedom of the City of Cardiff from the then Lord Mayor, Sir Lincoln Hallinan. The huge painting, under wraps at Cardiff's City Hall, hasn't been seen for years, whereas the 2004 portrait of Prince Charles by myself, dominates the entrance foyer of the same building.
"It's a great honour to receive this award in recognition of my portrait work. I've been immensely privileged, over a period of several decades, to have portrayed some of the most eminent figures in contemporary society. I hope too, that it might be a welcome shot in the arm for traditional art, emphasising the importance of drawing."
David said it was a huge surprise to receive the award, but he is nevertheless very proud of his achievement.
"Being offered an honour for doing work I enjoy, never crossed my mind. It initially came as a bit of a shock and forced me, for the first time, to look back and analyse the vast amount of artwork produced over the years."
Here, David picks some of his favourite portraits from his illustrious painting career...
PETER PRENDERGAST "I very much enjoy the freedom which painting artist friends allows me. Ernest Zobole, Kyffin Williams and Arthur Giardelli are among several who have sat for one-off studies.
"Peter Prendergast agreed to pose for his portrait, done at speed and completely from life. Peter's rise as an artist was meteoric. His painterly style, in the manner of Bomberg and Auerbach, is instantly recognisable.
"While I was familiar with his Welsh landscape studies, I was fascinated to come across his paintings of New York, at a prestigious exhibition of his work in Agnews Gallery, Bond Street."
SIAN PHILLIPS "The distinguished and versatile Welsh actress, Sian Phillips, agreed to sit for a portrait at her delightful Holland Park, London home. I rang the doorbell precisely on time for the initial appointment. No reply. A minute or so later, along arrived a breathless Sian in her jogging gear.
"She ushered me into the living room, saying she'd be with me in a couple of moments. True to her word, the former jogger emerged, not a hair out of place and looking every inch a Hollywood star."
ENOCH POWELL "In 1989 I attended the unveiling of my portrait of Dr Brinley Jones, warden of Llandovery College. After the ceremony, one of the parents approached me to ask whether I would paint a portrait of the politician, Enoch Powell.
"Slightly astonished, I said I'd be delighted, if he could arrange it, never thinking anything would come of it. Within a fortnight, I learned that Mr Powell would be happy to sit and would I contact him to arrange a meeting. I was to be given precisely one hour with him at his townhouse home off Eton Square.
"The sitting started in total silence, with his staring at me frostily and with a hint of suspicion. When the ice was eventually broken, he couldn't have been more charming and the scheduled hour turned to two. I'm pleased to say that he seemed delighted with the result."
HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES "In 2004, I was invited by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society to paint a portrait of HRH The Prince of Wales. It was in appreciation of his support for Welsh farmers.
"The Prince couldn't have been more helpful and cooperative. At his Highgrove home, he kindly agreed to pose in a weatherproof jacket, with a daffodil buttonhole, holding a shepherd's crook.
"A successful painter in his own right, he is hugely knowledgeable about art and we discussed, among other things, the importance of drawing, which remains central to the teaching at his art school in Shoreditch."
LOWRI POOLE "Lowri, an author of children's books, was born and educated in Cardiff. Until recently, she was head of English at Blackheath Preparatory School. I've known her since her childhood and recognise that much of her writing ability came from her grandfathers, Dengar Evans and Huw Davies, both of whom I knew well.
"Now back in Wales, she has resumed her writing as well as teaching her favourite subject."
JOE CALZAGHE "I'm always pleased to paint musicians, actors, entertainers and sports people. Joe Calzaghe was in training for his famous bout with Jeff Lacy in New York when I visited his Newbridge gym.
"Nerves were frayed and tension was high and I think posing for his portrait was the last thing on the boxer's mind. The gym seemed to have very little natural light, but I managed to find a spot near to a large punch-bag. Joe questioned the fact that I wanted him to pose, looking away from the bag.
"It didn't make sense that he shouldn't be looking at the object of his punches, until I pointed out, that unlike an action photograph, his face was basically of most interest to me.
Everything else was incidental."
DEREK HISCOCK "I have known Derek the framer since he began practising his craft from his home in Aberdare. London-trained and totally absorbed in his subject, his framing skills are second to none.
"When I introduced him to Kyffin Williams, Kyffin, who had always used the top London framers, immediately developed a fruitful business relationship with him which lasted for 20 years.
"The portrait I painted of Derek, in his Cardiff workshop, with the light beaming in through the roof window, breaks the mould of the usual portrait format. Derek tells me it's the best portrait I've ever painted."
SHANE WILLIAMS "Despite being hectically busy and in constant demand, Shane Williams kindly agreed to sit for his portrait. I had the dressing room bench specially assembled for the composition, in which I hoped to include his formal apparel and those famous shoes, inscribed "Bye Bye", and which were worn in his final game.
"The painting was unveiled in a memorable ceremony at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. It was a particularly happy and joyous event. The National Library is almost the official portrait gallery of Wales.
"I have found it tremendously supportive over the years. It houses a marvellous collection of portraits from an early period to the present day."
I've been immensely privileged to have portrayed some of the most eminent figures in contemporary society
CAPTION(S):
David Griffiths with his MBE
From left: Peter Prendergast, Sian Phillips, Enoch Powell, HRH the Prince of Wales, Joe Calzaghe and Shane Williams
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales) |
| Geographic Code: | 4EUUK |
| Date: | Mar 9, 2019 |
| Words: | 1227 |
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