Press Releases

Gwen John: Strange Beauties will open on 7 February 2026 and will place the artist centre stage in the year that will mark 150 years since her birth. The exhibition has been organised by Amgueddfa Cymru in partnership with National Galleries of Scotland, the Yale Center for British Art, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C.

The exhibition will open in National Museum Cardiff, with generous support from principal funder, the Colwinston Charitable Trust, before going on an international tour to the partner galleries during 2026 and 2027.

Born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire in 1876, Gwen John studied at the Slade School of Art in London, becoming one of the first generation of women to receive a formal art education, before moving to Paris where she settled. The exhibition will showcase work from her early years in Wales through to her late works inspired by her religious beliefs, French modernism, and her surroundings in the Parisian suburb of Meudon.

Gwen John: Strange Beauties will offer a fresh new perspective on Gwen John’s work and artistic legacy. Rarely seen drawings and watercolours will be on display, many for the first time, giving an insight into her quiet yet determined artistic vision.

Amgueddfa Cymru’s Director of Collections and Research, Dr Kath Davies said:

‘As an independent woman living and working as an artist in the early 20th century, Gwen John was a trailblazer. Many of her drawings and studio works have never been exhibited before and this major new exhibition will be an opportunity to explore John’s technical approach, processes, and the themes which influenced and inspired her. It will also offer the opportunity to rightly celebrate her for being the pioneering artist she was.

‘Amgueddfa Cymru holds the largest public collection of Gwen John’s work, so we are delighted to be opening this exhibition at National Museum Cardiff, as well as working with National Galleries of Scotland, the Yale Center for British Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts to bring work from this much-loved Welsh artist to an international audience.’

Tickets for Gwen John: Strange Beauties will be available to book later in the year. More information is available from www.museum.wales/GwenJohn

Gwen John: Strange Beauties at National Museum Cardiff is generously supported by principal funder, the Colwinston Charitable Trust. We are also grateful for support from the Friends of Amgueddfa Cymru, Art Fund, The Finnis Scott Foundation and the Gibbs Trust.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For further information, contact:

Rachel Bowyer, Communications Lead

rachel.bowyer@museumwales.ac.uk

communications@museumwales.ac.uk

Amgueddfa Cymru belongs to everyone and is here for everyone to use.

We’re a charity and a family of seven national museums and a collections centre, located across the country. Our aim is to inspire everyone through Wales’ story, at our museums, in communities and digitally.

Our welcome is free thanks to funding from the Welsh Government and extends to people from all communities.

Follow Amgueddfa Cymru’s seven museums on Instagram and Facebook. Play your part in Wales’ story: by visiting, volunteering, by joining, by donating.

www.museum.wales

Exhibition Dates:

National Museum Cardiff, Wales – 7 February – 28 June 2026
National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two, Edinburgh – 1 August 2026 – 4 January 2027
Yale Center for British Art, Connecticut – 18 February – 20 June 2027
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington DC – 30 July – 28 November 2027

Additional Quotes:

Vee Pollock, Director of Collection and Research at the National Galleries of Scotland, said:

‘Strange Beauties is the first ever major retrospective of Gwen John’s work to come to Scotland, marking 150 years since her birth and celebrating her lasting legacy. Taking over the whole of National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two, visitors can look forward to immersing themselves in the subtle use of colour and sense of calm in John’s paintings. We can’t wait for everyone in Scotland to get to know this incredible Welsh artist in 2026.’

Martina Droth, Paul Mellon Director, Yale Center for British Art, said:

‘The Yale Center for British Art is thrilled to be part of this innovative exhibition, reframing Gwen John’s artistic practice for contemporary audiences for the first time in more than four decades. This groundbreaking retrospective presents a timely opportunity for the YCBA to share its extraordinary paintings and drawings made by John. The YCBA’s founder, Paul Mellon, was particularly drawn to Gwen John’s meditative works, assembling the largest public collection of paintings and drawings by the artist outside the UK. It is a privilege to be the first venue in the United States to host this exhibition dedicated to Gwen John as the museum commemorates its fiftieth anniversary.’

Susan Fisher Sterlin, Director, National Museum of Women in the Arts, said:

‘We are honored to collaborate with Amgueddfa Cymru in bringing Gwen John’s body of work to light. We have long admired John’s quiet brilliance and, as the first major museum in the world solely dedicated to women in the arts, we look forward to bringing her art to prominence when the exhibition travels to Washington, D.C.’

Gwen John: Strange Beauties at National Museum Cardiff is generously supported by principal funder, the Colwinston Charitable Trust.

We are also grateful for support from the Friends of Amgueddfa Cymru, Art Fund, The Finnis Scott Foundation and the Gibbs Trust.