It’s that time of year again! With Christmas nearing and 2022 drawing to a close, we take a look back at some of the best art and cultural offerings to come out of Wales this year. Today, we’re taking a look back the best Welsh visual art exhibitions from 2022.
From protest art aiming to drive social change to reflections on modern technology and the Welsh landscape, there has been much to admire this year in the visual arts. As always, it’s been difficult to select just a few of our favourites, but with the help of Wales Arts Review’s editorial team and contributors, we’re delighted to reveal some of our favourites – read on for our list of top visual arts exhibitions in 2022.
Kevin Sinnott – Liebestod (The Flowers Gallery, London)
Kevin Sinnott’s latest exhibition, Liebestod, which brings together new and recent works, many of them created during the pandemic.
Invisible Britain – This Separated Isle, curated by Paul Sng (Ffotogallery, Cardiff)
A striking series of photographic portraits which delve into the complexity of “Britishness”, curated by Paul Sng.
Bodfa Continuum: The Possibilities of Time (Plas Bodfa, Anglesey)
An exhibition at Plas Bodfa exploring time and storytelling via 69 creative projects from over 77 artists, makers and creative people.
Elfyn Lewis – Anochel (TEN Gallery, Cardiff)
A collection of abstract art demonstrating a marked evolution in the painter’s work following challenges incited by the pandemic.
Neale Howells – A Divided Nation, part of Celf Coast Cymru (The Riverfront, Newport)
A vibrant new collection, exploring the coastline of Port Talbot as part of the Celf Coast Cymru project.
Dynevor-Neverland (Elysium Gallery, Swansea)
This special exhibition celebrated Swansea College of Art’s 200-year anniversary and included works from former students of University of Wales Trinity St David’s.
Gwen John (Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff)
A collection of the artist’s oils and sketches collated by the gallery owner over decades and brought together as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the venue.
Myles Mansfield – #iNHUMAN (Elysium Gallery, Swansea)
#iNHUMAN, a striking exhibition, exploring what it is to be human in our digital and technological world.
John Paul Evans – What is Lost… What Has Been (Ffotogallery, Cardiff)
Photographer and artist John Paul Evans’ solo exhibition at Cardiff’s Ffotogallery, a visual soliloquy to absent friends.
Previous winners include:
2021: The Betty Campbell Monument by Eve Shepherd (Monumental Welsh Women, Cardiff)
2020: Claudia Williams Retrospective (Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff)
2019: David Nash: Sculpture Through the Seasons (National Museum of Wales, Cardiff)
2018: This Inconstant State by Shani Rhys James (Connaught Brown Gallery, London)
2017: Diffusion: The Cardiff International Festival of Photography (Various venues, Cardiff)
