Lucy Wood on Gwen John

Lucy Wood on Gwen John

From Talk Art by Russell Tovey and Robert Diament

April 9, 2026 · 56 min · Season 27 · Episode 8

About this episode

An in-depth interview with curator Lucy Wood about the major exhibition on artist Gwen John.

@TalkArt continues with an in-depth interview on the work of GWEN JOHN with curator @Lucy.C.Wood to explore a major exhibition Gwen John: Strange Beauties at the National Museum Cardiff. Hosted by @RobertDiament . This once-in-a-generation exhibition brings together over 200 oil paintings, drawings and watercolours from public and private collections across the world with rarely seen works on paper from the artist’s studio collection to celebrate her 150th birthday. Born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, in 1876, Gwen John trained at the Slade School of Art in London and was one of the first British women to receive a formal art education. She later moved to Paris, where she became part of its vibrant artistic community, forging an independent path in a male-dominated art world. Gwen John is one of Wales' most extraordinary artists. She saw the world differently — quietly, attentively, and with extraordinary depth. That difference shaped everything: her subjects, her method, her colours, her words, her work.  It is the most comprehensive retrospective of the artist's work in over forty years. It tells Gwen’s story — revealing new ways of seeing her life and art and…

People in this episode

Hosts: Russell Tovey, Robert Diament

Guest: Lucy Wood

Topics covered

  • Gwen John
  • art exhibition
  • female artists
  • art history
  • curatorial practices

Keywords

  • Gwen John
  • art exhibition
  • National Museum Cardiff
  • female artists
  • art history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Museum Cardiff

Books & works: Gwen John: Strange Beauties

Places: Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Paris

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