Shani Rhys James facts for kids

Shani Rhys James MBE (born in 1953) is a famous Welsh painter. She lives and works in a place called Llangadfan in Powys, Wales. Many people say she is one of the most exciting and successful painters of her time. She is also known as one of Wales' most important living artists. In 1994, she became a member of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art. She received a special award called an MBE in 2006 for her great contributions to art.

Quick facts for kids Shani Rhys James MBE
Rhys James in 2015
Born	1953 Melbourne, Australia
Nationality	Australian and British
Education	Saint Martin's School of Art, London
Known for	Oil painting
Spouse(s)	Stephen West
Awards	Jerwood Painting Prize BBC Wales Visual Art Award Royal National Eisteddfod Gold Medal for Fine Art Glyndwr Award
Elected	Royal Cambrian Academy of Art

Early Life and Imagination

Shani Rhys James was born in 1953 in Melbourne, Australia. Her father was Welsh, and her mother was Australian. She moved to the UK when she was a child. When she was six years old, Shani became ill with a blood condition called thrombocytopenia. She spent time out of school because of this. She says this time was important because it allowed her to play and use her imagination. This helped her develop her creativity in her early years.

Growing up in Australia also helped her decide to become an artist. Her mother, who was an actress, told her not to go to art school. However, Shani was encouraged by artist friends and by staying with the artist Charles Blackman. Theatre was also a big part of her childhood. Her home was often filled with scenery, props, and costumes for plays. This creative environment greatly influenced her.

Shani went to school in Eltham, Australia, from ages 5 to 9. Later, she attended Parliament Hill Girls School in London.

Education and Artistic Career

Shani Rhys James studied art at Loughborough College of Art and Design. In 1976, she earned a degree in Fine Art from Saint Martin's School of Art in London. After finishing her studies, she moved to Powys, Wales, with her young family. This is where she lives and works today.

Shani's Unique Painting Style

Shani Rhys James is well-known for her thoughtful self-portraits. One of her famous paintings from 1993, called Studio with Gloves, shows her sitting in her art studio. When she isn't painting herself, she often paints other women. She also creates still lifes, which are paintings of objects like fruit or flowers. Her paintings also include scenes from everyday life at home. She is also known for her lively and energetic paintings of vases filled with flowers.

Art critic Michael Glover has described her work as "mad, wild, and thuggish" because of its strong and unrestrained style. He noted that she uses a lot of paint, applying it with great joy. He also mentioned that the eyes of the people in her paintings often look wide with a sense of wonder. Besides paintings, Shani Rhys James also creates prints and drawings using charcoal and ink.

Shani Rhys James is a member of important art groups. She was elected to the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art and the 56 Group Wales.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Shani Rhys James has shown her artwork in many places around the world. She has exhibited across Europe, and also in the US, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia. Her work is represented by the Martin Tinney Gallery in Cardiff, Wales.

In 2014, she created a special art installation called Florilingua. It was displayed in the foyer of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. In 2015, a major exhibition of her work, called Distillation, was held at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.

Awards and Achievements

Shani Rhys James has received many important awards for her art. These awards show how much her work is valued.

• In 1992, she won the Gold Medal for Fine Art at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. This is a very prestigious award in Wales.
• In 1994, she won the BBC Wales Visual Art Award.
• In 2003, she was named Woman of Culture at the Welsh Women of the Year Awards.
• Also in 2003, she won the Jerwood Painting Prize, which is a major award for painting.
• In 2007, she received the Glyndwr Award. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the arts in Wales.

Personal Life

Shani Rhys James is married to another artist, Stephen West. They have two children together. Even though many people see her as a Welsh artist, she holds an Australian passport. She describes herself as a "mongrel Celt," meaning she has mixed Celtic heritage.

Since 2010, she has also owned a second home in Charente, France. She spends a lot of time there, continuing her artistic work.

See also

• What Do Artists Do All Day?