Ceri Richards (1903–1971) was a distinguished Welsh artist whose innovative approach to painting, printmaking, and collage left an indelible mark on the British art scene of the 20th century. Richards displayed an early talent for art and attended the Swansea School of Art before continuing his studies at the Royal College of Art in London.
Richards' artistic style was deeply influenced by his Welsh heritage, as well as by his encounters with European modernism and avant-garde movements. He was particularly drawn to the work of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Wassily Kandinsky, whose experimentation with form, colour, and abstraction inspired Richards to develop his own unique visual language.
In his early career, Richards gained recognition for his vibrant and dynamic paintings, which often featured bold colours, energetic brushwork, and abstracted forms. He was also known for his innovative use of collage and mixed media, incorporating elements such as newspaper clippings, fabric scraps, and found objects into his compositions to create layered and textured surfaces.
Throughout his career, Richards explored a wide range of themes and subjects in his art, including Welsh mythology, music, literature, and the natural world. He was particularly interested in the relationship between art and music, and his paintings often evoke a sense of rhythm, harmony, and movement reminiscent of musical compositions.