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All four galleries have a particular focus on the art of Wales and landscape painting, and all of these elements come together in the Welsh Landscape Gallery, a spectacular space which explores how artists have responded to the changing inspirational land of Wales for over more than three hundred years.

The sublime mountains and lakes of the north, and the rolling hills and fiery industry of the south have long been the source of artistic inspiration. Today, Wales is still attracting artists to look at the land in new ways and bring modern concerns to the ever-changing landscape.

Elsewhere in other newly opened galleries, visitors will learn of the lives of four eighteenth-century artists from Wales, whose careers spanned long periods in Italy and in London – Richard Wilson, Thomas Jones, William Parry and John Downman. Another display is of small intimate oil sketches of Wales and Italy. The last of the newly refurbished, stylish galleries places Welsh artists and collectors in the broader context of their time and contains many works from our magnificent eighteenth century collections. A new gallery of Victorian painting and sculpture, as well as a gallery devoted to images of Welsh people of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries follow in December 2008.

Funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Wolfson Foundation, and many private donors, work has gradually transformed the presentation of the national collection. These new galleries focus upon Wales’s own special artistic heritage while embracing both Welsh and world art in the stories we tell.

Oliver Fairclough, Keeper of Art, says: “These new galleries must and will satisfy the needs of the entire range of the Museum’s visitors. Our outstanding collection of works by Welsh artists is inspirational. New wall texts and introductory graphics are complemented by learning points which provide sophisticated hands-on activity for younger people. This is a huge step forward for National Museum Cardiff in the way in which we interpret our collections.”

The galleries show a greater range and diversity of objects, present well known art in fresh ways and explore new themes and ideas whilst creating spaces for education and contemporary art practice.

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales is working towards creating a National Museum of Art on the first floor of National Museum Cardiff. This is one of many steps in a longer journey towards establishing a dedicated National Gallery of Art for Wales. The organization is striving to create a museum that enriches the lives of the people of Wales and beyond.

Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales operates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, National Wool Museum, Drefach and the National Slate Museum, Llanberis.

Entry to all sites is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

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For further information, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer on (029) 2057 3185/07920 027067/catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

By the beginning of July 2008, the following re-developed galleries will open at National Museum Cardiff:

Art in Britain 1700–1800

The focus is on Welsh artists in the 18th century and particularly on three people – Richard Wilson, Thomas Jones, William Parry. This gallery includes the famous painting, ‘The Bard’ by Thomas Jones.

The Power of the Land: The Welsh Landscape Gallery

Featuring:

Bull's Head’ by Heather Ackroyd

This example shows artists using real materials from the landscape such as grass. The grass is sewn on hessian.

‘Tenby’ by Francis Place, c.1678, the oldest art work on display.

William Hodges’ painting ‘Ruins of Llanthony Abbey.’

Painting from Nature: Oil sketches of Italy and Wales This gallery includes popular works which have been given a dedicated space in order to show them in their best light i.e. work by Thomas Jones who was a major pioneer of this tradition and others who were inspired by Italy.

Welsh artists of the eighteenth century in focus Dominated by the Sir Watkin Williams-Wynne’s Chamber Organ (1774), this space explores the emergence of art in Wales in the 18th Century. In addition to large art works by the likes of Thomas Lawrence and George Romney, it also includes items which belonged Sir Williams-Wynne, the richest Welshman of his time.

Press Preview of galleries will be held from 10am to12pm on Wednesday 2 July 2008 at National Museum Cardiff. The galleries will open officially to the public on Thursday 3 July 2008.