Art History Talk – The Sound of Silence, the art of Gwen John

Date: Thursday 10th July 2025

Timings: 2.00pm for the Lecture, followed by Tea & Cake in the Pavilion Gallery at 3pm (doors open from 1.30pm)

Venue: Penarth Pier Pavilion

Ticket/s: £15.75per person (+ booking fee) - Ticket price includes Tea & Cake.

Gwen John is renowned for her haunting portraits of solitary women.

Yet, contrary to the image of the reclusive artist, this pupil of Whistler, admirer of Cézanne, and lover of Rodin was a forward-thinking artist whose work was ahead of its time.

For many years, she was overshadowed by her flamboyant brother Augustus and her turbulent affair with Rodin. But Gwen forged a unique path in the art world, defying conventions with her luminous portraits and quiet interiors.

'Without sacrificing scholarship, Stella Grace Lyons has a most engaging way of hooking an audience into sharing her passionate interest in art history, drawing three dimensional human stories and experiences from the two-dimensional canvas'

- Maev Kennedy, Guardian Arts Correspondent

Stella Grace Lyon's talk unveils the enigmatic brilliance of a Welsh woman who proved that stillness could be revolutionary.

Following the talk, please stay for tea and cake, served in the Pavilion's beautiful Gallery.