Philip Watkins was born in Church Village and grew up in Caerffili. He studied Fine Art at Newport Art College from 1973 –1977. Alongside painting he has worked as an illustrator at the Welsh Folk Museum, won awards (including a BAFTA) as a member of the production team at Siriol Animation and the Dave Edwards’ Studio, taught drawing to young offenders and worked as a Youth Officer in Cardiff. Latterly, he worked for 18 years as a part-time tutor in Adult Education in Cardiff, until giving up due to ill-health in 2020.

The starting point for his painting is always direct personal experience. In his case, this means that the paintings are often concerned with, what initially in any case, appears to be the mundane. He is interested in the character a place, that is normally busy with people, takes on when deserted and uses light and composition to convey this. These places are almost always ‘in between’ places, functional places, the sort of place one walks past on the way to somewhere else. Talking to young people in the drizzle of a February evening on some council estate has been an influence.

Born: Church Village, Glamorgan, Wales.

Lives: Cardiff, Wales.

 

Education:

1973 –1977, Newport Art College, Fine Art.

 

Selected solo exhibitions:

2022, 'Out of the Ordinary', Oriel Canfas, Cardiff.

2019, 'Inside Out', the Pop Factory, Porth, Rhondda.

2018, 'Valley Lines', Kickplate Gallery, Abertillery.

2009, ' Another Time, Another Place', Llanover Hall Arts Centre, Cardiff.

2008, 'Missing Person',Washington Gallery, Penarth.

2006, 'The Distant Sound of an IceCream Van', Bianco Nero Gallery, Stokesley, North Yorks.

2004, Focal.
2004, Ruthin.

2003, ' You Are Here', Washington Gallery, Penarth.

 

Selected group exhibitions:

2024, 'Dark to Light' , Royal Cambrian Academy. 

2024, 'BEEP Painting Prize Biennale, Elysium Gallery, Swansea.

2024, Friends of Llanover Hall, Llanover Hall, Cardiff.

2024, Turner House Open 2024, Penarth.

2024, Cowbridge Open.

2024, National Eisteddfod of Wales, Pontypridd. 

2024, 'About Time', (First of  Welsh Group '8 Shows' series), Queen Street Gallery, Neath. 

2023, Cardiff M.A.D.E. Summer Open.

2023, 'Celf Gwyrdd', The Welsh Group, Mid-Wales Arts Centre, Powys.

2023, The Welsh Group 'In Focus', 75th Anniversary of the Welsh Group, Y Gaer, Brecon Museum. 

2022, Welsh Group 'Across Two Valleys', Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil (also at Cynon Valley Museum, Aberdare)

2022, Welsh Group, Turner House, Penarth.

2022, National Eisteddfod of Wales, Lle Celf, Tregaron.

2022, Cowbridge Open, Old Hall, Cowbridge.
 

2022, 'Curious Minds', The Flux Review, Online Exhibition.

2021, 'Figurative Art Now', Online Exhibition .

2018 'Just Paint', S18 Gallery, Pontycymmer.

2018 National Eisteddfod of Wales, Lle Celf, Y Senedd, Cardiff Bay (Winner of Anthony Goble Award for Painting).

2016, 'City Stories', Mission Gallery, Swansea.

2016, 'Nonarchy', MadeinRoath, Cardiff.

2016, 'Nonarchy', Undegun, Wrexham.

2015, 'Welshscape', St. Donats Art Centre.

2014, 'Solve Et Coagula', Abacus Gallery, Cardiff.
2013 'Gaeaf', St. David's Hall, Cardiff.

2012, BEEP. 'Through Tomorrow's Eyes' - Welsh International Painting Prize Exhibition, Elysium Artspaces, Volcano Theatre, Swansea.

2012, 'Painting Wales', New Leaf Gallery, Monmouth.

2006, 'Keepers of the Flame' The South Wales Painting Tradition, Washington Gallery, Penarth.

2006, Sefton Open, Atkinson Gallery, Southport

2005, 'A Rare Chance To See...', Washington Gallery, Penarth.

2003, National Eisteddfod of Wales, Meifod.