The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth launches the “Profiad Kyffin Experience” on Wednesday, November 18, an immersive digital exhibition bringing the landscapes of Sir Kyffin Williams to life. The bilingual, 30-minute presentation features animated projections of the artist’s work, narrated by Sir Bryn Terfel, and is designed to introduce new audiences to the painter’s legacy.
Digital Projections at the Library
The exhibition utilizes 360-degree projection technology to animate oil paintings, including scenes of hill farmers, sheepdogs, and stormy seas, according to [bbc.com]. Focal Studios, the project’s lead designers, worked alongside the company leo&hyde to animate the visuals, which are projected onto the walls and floors of former office spaces within the library, [The Guardian] reported.
“Kyffin's paintings are so textured that we had to invent two new technologies to do them justice,” Focal Studios chief executive Dennis Outten said.ick, impasto texture of Williams’s palette-knife technique, [bbc.com] noted. Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University assisted by creating high-fidelity 3D scans of the original works, which [Herald.Wales] reported were used to develop an interactive self-portrait easel.
“It's by no means a traditional exhibition,” Director of experience Carys Ifan said.
Williams’s History with Aberystwyth
The National Library of Wales holds the world’s largest collection of the artist’s work, totaling approximately 2,000 items, [bbc.com] stated. The institution’s relationship with Williams began in 1950, when it purchased a painting of Cader Idris for £15 and an ink drawing of Tre’r Ceiri for £7.10, shortly after the artist left the Slade School of Fine Art in London.
Following his death in 2006, Williams bequeathed a significant portion of his estate to the library, including roughly 200 oil paintings and 1,200 works on paper, [Nation.Cymru] reported. Morfudd Bevan, the library’s art curator, said that the institution aimed to support the artist early in his career, a bond that eventually led to the library housing his personal archives.
Booking Free Tickets for Small Group Sessions
The experience is free to attend, though a small booking fee applies, according to [Herald.Wales]. The library has released tickets for sessions running through March 2027, with additional dates from January 2027 expected to be added soon. Due to the nature of the installation, each session is limited to 10 people, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, [Nation.Cymru] stated.
Common Questions About the Experience
Is the exhibition accessible to non-Welsh speakers?
Yes, the installation is a bilingual presentation. Singer-songwriter Casi Wyn helped develop the experience to ensure it is meaningfully accessible in both Welsh and English, [Nation.Cymru] reported.
Are there other exhibitions of his work currently open?
Yes, the library is hosting a separate exhibition titled “Kyffin: Face to Face,” which focuses on the artist’s portraits and self-portraits.
This exhibition is located at the Riverside gallery in Haverfordwest and remains open until April 3, 2027, according to [Nation.Cymru].
How was the project funded?
The installation received £500,000 in grants, [bbc.com] reported. Primary funding was provided by the Colwinston Charitable Trust through its 30th anniversary fund, with additional support from the Welsh Government and the Friends of the National Library of Wales, [Nation.Cymru] stated.
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