“The work of Darren is different to that of most of his contemporaries in that he appears, truly, to love what he paints. He loves the landscape around his home; he loves the houses, the mountains, the gates and the stone walls and slate fences. Consequently he is able to communicate that love to others. He also happens to be a very talented artist, of whom we must be proud”
Sir Kyffin Williams
Born in Bangor, North Wales in 1970, Darren studied fine art & printmaking at Falmouth school of Art & Design.
Following a series of increasingly successful exhibitions, the late Sir Kyffin Williams invited Darren to exhibit alongside him at Sir Kyffin’s last London show. Needless to say, the exhibition was a huge success and Darren sold every picture. This was followed by numerous sell-out shows with Martin Tinney Gallery and Thackeray Gallery London.
Working primarily in and around the landscape of North Wales, and more particularly, Anglesey & Bethesda; Darren approaches the landscape with a contemporary realism and honesty. His landscapes are created through almost painstaking observation and attention to detail. His drawings and paintings are precise, powerful and moving and celebrate the welsh landscape as it is now.
Darren also has many works in private and public collections, including the National Library of Wales.
Selected exhibitions
2021 “Bro Gynefin / Native Places” Exhibition of new Drawings and paintings. Storiel, Bangor, Gwynedd
2019 New works – An exhibition of Large scale drawings, Theatr Clwyd, Mold.
2018 Welsh Art in China, organised by the Martin Tinney Gallery, hosted by Hong Yi Zhou Gallery in Chongqing.
2017 “Troelli” with Manon Awst, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, Bodedern.
2011 “In my Blood”, Fraser Gallery, Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A
2010 Martin Tinney Gallery.
2010 “Six welsh Painters and a Potter”, Thackeray Gallery,London.
2006 Solo show – Martin Tinney,Gallery,Cardiff.
2006 “Sir Kyffin Williams and Friends”, Thackeray Gallery, London.
2005 Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff.
2005 “Eryri” – A Sense of Place”, Gwynedd Museum & Art Gallery, Bangor.
2004 “Native Land”- North Wales artists and Landscape 1979 – 2004. Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno & Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
2003 The Sea & never ending Mountain, International Eisteddfod, Llangollen.
2001 Welsh Printmakers, Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, Wexford, Eire.
2001 Young Wales 5, Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy, N. Wales. (Main Prize winner)
1999 Welsh Drawing Biennale, Wrexham arts centre
1999 Nation Eisteddfod of Wales, Pentraeth
1995 The Gloria gallery, Nicosia, Cyprus
1995 Klorakas gallery, Phaphos, Cyprus
Collections and Awards
2011, 2005, 2002 The National Library of Wales collection, Aberystwyth.
2018 Prize winner – Agored Galeri Open, Caernarfon.
2002 Regional Prize winner, ‘The Discerning Eye’, Mall Galleries, London,
2001 Young Welsh Artist of the Year – Young Wales 5, Royal Cambrian Academy
Darren Hughes 