On October 28th 2022, 81 year old David Meredith will retire from his post as Chairman of the Sir Kyffin Williams Trust after a period of 7 years (2016 – 2022).
David Meredith said “It’s been a great privilege being Chairman of the Trust and promoting the cultural values of my hero Sir Kyffin Williams, but because of difficulties following treatment for cancer of the prostate; I am no longer able to leap into action to do the work that needs to be done, promoting Sir Kyffin’s work deserves the utmost effort.
Working with my fellow trustees these last seven years, inspired by Sir Kyffin’s splendid and glorious paintings, has been a great joy for me. We have been involved in the main with two important projects: - Firstly a Drawing Competition – “The Sir Kyffin Williams Drawing Prize” and secondly an annual public lecture in memory of Sir Kyffin. The Drawing Prize Competition gives us the opportunity to place on a pedestal and truly emphasise one of Kyffin’s great beliefs, the importance of the act of Drawing – an artist had to be able to draw! The Trust also established the Drawing Prize as a tribute to Sir Kyffin for the support he gave to artists throughout his long life.
The annual Sir Kyffin Lecture alternating between Welsh and English has seen distinguished men and women lecturing on a variety of subjects pertaining to Sir Kyffin’s life and work and on the Arts in general. The last nine lectures have been published in a book by Gomer Press: ‘Kyffin - Dan Sylw – In View’, I hope this practice of publishing the lectures continues.
In 2018 we celebrated the Centenary of Sir Kyffin’s birth (1918 – 2018) with the Trust leading the celebrations in cooperation with National Institutions - The National Library at Aberystwyth, The National Museum, Cardiff and culminating with a splendid exhibition of Sir Kyffin’s paintings at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. Memorable exhibitions of Sir Kyffin’s work were held at leading Art Galleries throughout Wales and in London and leading Institutions and Societies honoured Sir Kyffin’s name, as Wales’ leading 20th Century artist. The print world and radio and television also played a major role in the celebrations.
Throughout the years countless publications have been published recording Sir Kyffin’s artistic masterpieces. During the Centenary year a remarkable book was written by the Chinese author and artist; Dr Qing Chao Ma, published in Mandarin and launched at the Academy of Fine Art in the City of Xi’an, China, and subsequently written in English and published in Wales by Graffeg. It was a great honour for me to be invited to speak at the launch in China and write the Foreword to the book – Kyffin would have been delighted at this turn of events! The Trust continues to be in touch with Dr Qing Chao Ma whose admiration for the work of Sir Kyffin is wonderful to witness.
This recent China link is proof, if needed, that there are no bounds to the artistic and creative, inspirational powers of Sir Kyffin’s paintings and writings. I wish my successor as Chairperson, and the Trust members every success in their vital work to expand the Kyffin Cosmos.
I extend my heart felt thank you to my fellow members of the Sir Kyffin Trust and to the officers and staff at Oriel Môn and especially to my fellow Trust officers, Esther Roberts our former administrator, and John F. Smith our treasurer – working with them has been an honour – they have been a rock!
I wish to stress how grateful I am to Oriel Môn in Llangefni, its officers have been a power of strength to the Trust. We have seen magnificent exhibitions in the Kyffin Williams Gallery with Sir Kyffin’s artistic work exhibited at its very best. The Centenary exhibition in 2018 truly was inspirational. Oriel Môn – one of the most important Art Centres in Wales, is a vital artistic treasure trove.
David Meredith
Former Chairman – Sir Kyffin Williams Trust
Retiring October 28, 2022 – appointed Chairman 2016.
P.S. Years ago, what an honour it was for me to have a cup of tea (strong cup of tea!) with Kyffin at his home and witness him drawing on location at Nant Peris and other mountain locations – a great man, the greatest of artists!
David Meredith
(Short) C.V.
Chairman of the Sir Kyffin Williams Trust. 2016 – 2022
To retire October, 28th, 2022
Former Head of Press and Public Relations - HTV Cymru / Wales, Cardiff
Former Head of Press and PR - S4C Television, Cardiff
Former Chairman of own PR Company ‘M’ – David Meredith PR.
Author
Author of 3 books on the life and work of Sir Kyffin Williams.
Kyffin Williams, Bro a Bywyd – Barddas
Kyffin Williams, His Life, His Land.
Bilingual publication
Kyffin in Venice – Interview between David Meredith and
Sir Kyffin Williams.
Gomer Press
‘Obsessed’
The biography of Sir Kyffin. Co-written with John F Smith, former Executive at Oriel Môn.
Gomer Press.
Editor
Kyffin-Dan Sylw-In View. 9 public lectures re Sir Kyffin Williams RA – Gomer Press.