A DEEP longing for Wales is the central theme of a new art exhibition opening in a Caernarfon art gallery on Saturday, November 6.

‘Hiraeth’, the 2021 Open Show by the Life: Full Colour gallery, attracted entries from artists across Wales with more than 190 pieces of art submitted, with judges having selected 58 artworks to appear in the show including paintings, sculpture, photography, mixed media and film.

Winners were selected by a judging panel consisting of Life: Full Colour founder and owner Sara McKee and artists Ann Lewis, Nathan Jones and Jocelyn Roberts. The selection process was completely anonymous as judges were provided with the artwork image only.

Artists of all experience levels and regions of Wales are represented, and all bar five are first-time winners.

Sara McKee said: “This year, we were impressed by the diversity of the entries and the high quality of every submission.

“They all showed great skill and creativity; from Judy Pemberton’s sculpture of a pregnant woman, to Catherine Taylor Parry’s abstract landscape conveying the joy of summer in the countryside to Lal Davies’ breathtaking combination of film and poetry.

“Come along to be wowed by the huge artistic talent we have in Wales, while showing your support for local artists by buying beautiful art.”

This year, one artist will be selected for the Chairman’s Prize and be awarded a prize pack from Winsor & Newton, which produces a wide range of fine art products.

The pack is worth £150 and consists of artist materials including watercolour, acrylic and oil paints, sketching set and a watercolour pad.

The exhibition is free to enter and it will open at Life: Full Colour’s yellow gallery on Saturday, November 6 and close on Friday, December 24.

The gallery is located at 23-25 Hole in the Wall Street, Caernarfon.

The show can also be viewed online at: www.lifefullcolour.com/gallery/open-show/hiraeth-online-gallery.