A landmark exhibition of Welsh artist Gwen John, titled "Gwen John: Strange Beauties," has opened at Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum Wales) to celebrate the painter's 150th birthday. It is the most comprehensive retrospective of her work in 40 years, spanning two floors and featuring previously unseen sketches, watercolours, and intimate paintings of recurring subjects like cats, St Thérèse of Lisieux, and the artist's own room. The exhibition is curated by Lucy Wood and runs until June 28th.
This exhibition matters because it reclaims Gwen John as one of Wales's greatest modern artists, offering a deep, meditative look at her quiet yet powerful devotion to craft. In a time of global uncertainty, the show's intimate scale and focus on everyday subjects provide a counterpoint to spectacle-driven art, highlighting the enduring relevance of a female gaze and the value of sustained artistic commitment.