Islwyn Watkins shop in Knighton

Islwyn Watkins (1938 – December 30, 2018) was a Welsh artist, educator and slipware ceramics expert.[1] Born in Tonypandy, Rhondda, he studied at Cardiff College of Art from 1954 to 1959 and was influenced by the work of Kurt Schwitters.[2] Watkins was a member of The Welsh Group from 1959.[1][3]

Watkins taught art at Ravenscroft School from 1959 to 1964 and later studied lithography at Hornsey College of Art. In 1960 Watkins started to make abstract, waste wood assemblages.[4] He collaborated with Jeff Nuttall, the author of Bomb Culture.[2] A book by Nuttall called Mr Watkins got drunk and had to be carried home was named after him.[5]

In 1965 together with Bruce Lacey and John Latham he helped create the sTigma, an installation at Better Books in Charing Cross Road, London. Watkins completed a master's degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[2]

In 1967 he lectured at Birmingham School of Art.[2] Moving to Knighton, Powys Wales in 1978 he was appointed chair of the Welsh Group. He also ran the Offa's Dyke Antique Centre in a Grade II listed building, in Knighton.[6] At the 2000 Brecon Jazz Festival, Watkins and Nuttall created Merz Jam, an installation inspired by Kurt Schwitters with Lol Coxhill performing.[2]

His work is in the collection of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Islwyn Watkins, 1938 to 2018". www.cutlock.co.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Moore, David (27 January 2019). "Islwyn Watkins obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  3. ↑ "What's On". gallery.southwales.ac.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  4. ↑ Wakelin, Peter (1999). Creating an art community. National Museum Wales. ISBN 9780720004724. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  5. ↑ "Mr Watkins got drunk and had to be carried home". www.peterharrington.co.uk. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  6. ↑ "AN exhibition by Islwyn Watkins, opens at Ludlow's Silk Top Hat Gallery". Ludlow Advertiser. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  7. ↑ "A catalogue of the Art collections of Amgueddfa Cymru". National Museum Wales. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
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