Powys: Hergest Croft Gardens has new artist in residence

Chris Williams has already moved to a new studio at the 70-acre Hergest Croft Gardens in Kington, near Presteigne, which has one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the British Isles and has been owned by five generations of the Banks family.

The estate has more than 130 ‘Champion Trees’, as well as 5,000 rare trees, plants and shrubs, together with national collections of Maples, Birches and Zelkovas.

“We are absolutely thrilled and very excited about this appointment,” said Austyn Hallworth, head of marketing and public relations for Hergest Croft Gardens.

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“Chris will bring a huge depth of knowledge and experience to this role which can only continue to enhance and promote our stunning gardens.”

Originally from North Wales, Chris studied art at the Laird School of Art, Birkenhead, and gained her Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in fine art from Newcastle Polytechnic.

She has most recently pursued a year-long post graduate level drawing course with the Royal Drawing School and joined others from the course to form a collective called Studio 22. 

Primarily a landscape painter, she has exhibited at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, the Royal West of England Academy and the Royal College of Arts, as well as in galleries in Somerset and London.

A former entrant on Sky Arts’ ‘Landscape Artist of the Year’ in 2017, she recently completed an artist residency at Stiwdio Maelor in Corris, near Machynlleth.

Chris’ work is based on observation and she likes to work outside whenever possible whether this is drawing or making plein air oil studies.

She is fascinated by natural forms, changing light, weather and the seasonal and daily rhythms of the landscape.

Chris will replace the incumbent Kathryn Moore, who has recently produced a beautifully illustrated book ‘A Brush with the Borders – An Artist’s year’.

The unfolding seasons, drawn and painted in sketchbooks, depict the flora and fauna of the gardens, along with observations of natural history, discussions with the gardeners, historical research, poetry and artistic references. 

The book, which is available from www.kathrynmoore.co.uk, provides a fascinating insight into the natural landscape of the gardens and their close observation by an artist who became even more attuned to shifting moods and seasonal changes.

Hergest Croft Gardens is a member of MWT Cymru, which represents tourism and hospitality businesses and organisations across Powys, Ceredigion and southern Snowdonia