Gŵyl y Ferch, in partnership with Oriel Môn and Menter Iaith Môn, are launching a female-only art exhibition on Saturday 13th of July at 8pm.

There are unequal opportunities to see work by female artists at present, and to address the issue popular Welsh musicians Lleuwen Steffan and Siân Miriam will perform to celebrate the exhibition opening, with tickets to the gig for £5 at the door (or to secure a place in advance on Eventbrite), with proceeds going to support women through the Gorwel project. The art exhibition at Oriel Môn will be open to all for free until the 28th of July.

Gŵyl y Ferch women’s arts festival is a proactive enterprise by two young artists Ffion Pritchard, who won the 2019 Urdd Art Scholarship, and Esme Livingston. The Gŵyl y Ferch festival is an exciting development in the cultural scene in Wales and was this year funded through a grant awarded by Mentrau Iaith Cymru.

Esme Livingston + Ffion Pritchard

Esme Livingston + Ffion Pritchard

Oriel Môn, managed by the Isle of Anglesey County Council, is showing initiative to address equality by inviting Gŵyl y Ferch to exhibit, since data shows that work by female artists is underrepresented in exhibitions in Wales and in the UK. For example, the temporary exhibitions of the National Museum of Wales between 2016 and 2018, featured the work of 83 women compared with 273 men. Likewise in London, galleries such as Tate Modern and the National Gallery have committed to ensure more work by female artists will be exhibited.

Among the artists showing in Oriel Môn will be well-known national artists such as Catrin Williams and Diana Williams as well as artists full of promise such as Gwenllian Spink. Also included is a beautiful table patchwork by Seren Wyn Jenkins, who won the 2019 Urdd Art Prize, and who’s living proof of the importance of exhibiting female artists, as two of the artists who inspired her were ones exhibited by Oriel Môn, namely Edrica Huws and Josie Russell. Other artists who are showing striking and original art pieces are Rhian Price, Elen Mair Thomas, Iola Smart, Sue Terrey, Llinos Owen, Jenny Barnett, Manon Parry, Suzanna Dee Greenwood, and Wanda Garner.