Opening Launch at Lasynys Fawr, Harlech 10 August 2002

The exhibition at Lasynys Fawr is a significant development for the Harlech Biennale. Lasynsys Fawr is the historical home of Ellis Wynne a 17th century writer important in his role as a significant contributor to the survival of the Welsh language. It is therefore gratifying to have the support of the governers of Lasynys Fawr in allowing the Harlech Biennale to mount such an important exhibition there. The Harlech Biennale 2002 was officially opened by Martin Barlow, Director of Oriel Mostyn, and attended by over 50 visitors at the launch.

The exhibition itself contains 11 works of internationally acclaimed artists, Anselm Kiefer, Janis Kounellis,Ian Hamilton Finlay, and including important Welsh artists Iwan Bala, Tim Davies and Peter Finnemore. It is an interesting exhibition dealing with contemporary issues of global importance. Martyn Barlow mentioned that all good art starts from a local root, and grows in significance (if it is good work) into having global interest.

The Welsh artists, attract global interest in the issues of place, landscape, and art itself. Indeed Iwan Bala has this year visited Italy, and is now on his way to the USA on a lecture tour.The exhibition at Lasynys Fawr confirms our intention as a group of artists to run a dysfunctional event, without the usual curator, or gallery involvement. Harlech Biennale expresses its thanks to the Lasynys governors for allowing our group to mount this small, but potent exhibition in advance of our larger event due to be opened on the 27 August by Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, and containing the work of 26 artists from Galicia, Holland, Taiwan, Wales and the UK.