Mary Lloyd Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Lloyd Jones
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Cwm Rheidol
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| Born | 1934 Devils Bridge, Cardiganshire
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| Nationality | Welsh |
| Education | Cardiff School of Art, Cardiff |
| Known for | Painting and printmaking |
Mary Lloyd Jones (born in 1934) is a talented Welsh artist. She creates amazing paintings and prints from her home in Aberystwyth. Her artworks often have many layers of meaning and show her interest in how language first began. She uses symbols like ancient marks made by early humans, and special old alphabets like ogham and the bardic alphabet. Mary Lloyd Jones's art has been shown all over Wales and in other countries too.
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About Mary Lloyd Jones's Art
Mary Lloyd Jones was born in Devil's Bridge, a beautiful place in Ceredigion, Wales. She loved art from a young age and went to art school right after finishing regular school. Her dream was always to be an artist.
However, she didn't start showing her art publicly until 1966, when she was in her early 30s. Some people think this was because she was a Welsh woman from a rural area, and it was harder for artists like her to get noticed back then. Mary herself once said it felt like she was "living in the wrong time and place to be a successful artist."
In 1989, she decided to become a full-time artist. She left her job as a visual arts officer for the county of Dyfed. After this, her art changed. She started making large, unusually shaped paintings that were not stretched onto frames. These artworks often looked like cloth and sometimes involved stitching or dye. Later, she went back to more traditional painting styles and also created large, bold banners.
Inspiration from Wales
Mary Lloyd Jones's art is deeply inspired by the landscapes where she grew up. One important feature of this landscape is the marks left by old lead mining. These scars on the land are a big part of her work. Her strong connection to her Welsh-language culture also plays a huge role.
People see her as someone who protects and celebrates her cultural history, especially through language. Her art often feels like a conversation with the past.
Exploring Ancient Languages
Mary's interest in old alphabets grew after she visited Ilkley Moor in England. There, she saw ancient "cup and ring marks," which are mysterious symbols carved into rocks. She started putting these kinds of marks into her own art.
This led her to learn about Iolo Morganwg, an 18th-century Welsh poet and scholar. He created his own special bardic alphabet called "Coelbren." Mary feels that using old scripts like the ogham script in her art helps show the unique nature of Welsh culture.
Exhibitions and Recognition
In 2009, the Ruthin Craft Centre showed Mary Lloyd Jones's early textile (fabric) artworks. This helped new audiences discover and appreciate her older pieces. She had another show there in 2013.
In February 2013, she became the first artist to have a special residency at the Old College at Aberystwyth University. She even got a new studio there! Many of her paintings are now part of public collections, including the National Library of Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, and Cardiff University.
Mary Lloyd Jones joined the 56 Group Wales, a group of artists, in 1971. She was a full member from 1973 to 1986. In October 2014, she published her autobiography, No Mod Cons. This book tells the story of her journey as an artist and her efforts to improve the art world for Welsh artists. In 2016, she was honored by being elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.
Solo Art Shows
Mary Lloyd Jones has had many solo exhibitions (shows featuring only her work):
- 2004 – 'The Colour of Saying', Oriel Theatr Clwyd
- 2004 – 'The Colour of Saying', Llantarnam Grange, Cwmbran
- 2005 – New work, Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff
- 2006 – 'First Language', Gregynog Gallery, National Library of Wales
- 2009 – 'Cloth works', Ruthin Centre for Applied Arts
- 2013 – 'Signs of Life', Ruthin Craft Centre
- 2014 – 'A Journey from Devils Bridge', Gallery 1, Canolfan Y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Artist Residencies
Mary Lloyd Jones has also been invited to special artist residencies, where she can focus on her art in new places:
- 1988 Residency, Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Ireland
- 1990 Studio Exchange to Philadelphia USA
- 1993 'Cwlwm Celtaidd / Ceangal Ceilteach'. Three-month exchange residency. Highland regional council / West Wales Arts
- 1995 Guest Tutor, Rajasthan, India
- 1997 Progetto Galles Celtico, Adria, Italy
- 1997 Green Mountain College, Vermont, United States
- 1998 Cywaith Cymru, National Eisteddfod, Bro Ogwr. Installation and collaboration on Iolo Morganwg.
- 1999 Centre D'Art I Natura, Farerra de Pallars, Catalonia, Spain.
Books by Mary Lloyd Jones
Mary Lloyd Jones has also written books about her art and life:
