Osi Rhys Osmond  artist + cultural activist

1942 – 2015

Osi Rhys Osmond was one of Wales’ most respected artists, authors, broadcasters and commentators on arts and culture through the medium of Welsh and English. His work always involved the close examination of nature and the human condition.
He was born and raised in Wattsville, South Wales, into a mining family, and was educated at  Newport School of Art, 1959-64 and Cardiff School of Art and University of Wales Cardiff 1964-65 and 1976-77.
He was a visiting lecturer at Newport, Cardiff, Swansea and Carmarthen Schools of Art and St David’s College / University of Wales, Lampeter and was Head of Foundation Studies at Carmarthen School of Art between 1988 and 1996 before becoming a lecturer in Painting, Drawing and History of Art at Swansea Metropolitan University between 1996 and 2012.
Osi Rhys Osmond held many one-man exhibitions and has been amongst other eminent Welsh artists exhibiting their work at venues in Wales, London, Lithuania, Denmark and the USA.  A prolific writer, he was the editorial consultant and contributor on visual culture for the Encyclopaedia of Wales, published  by University of Wales Press, and is a regular contributor of reviews, criticism, and articles on art and culture for such titles as Planet, New Welsh Review, Golwg, Barn, Tu Chwith, Taliesin.  He latterly worked on book about the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti – “Seeking Giacometti”.
His broadcasting career enabled him to contribute to radio and television programmes for the BBC including the Culture Show, Channel 4 as well as a twelve programme series, “Byd O Liw” (world of colour) 2005-2007, “Art of the First World War” S4C 2008 and a series of six programmes on colour – “Lliwiau”  (colours) for S4C 2009.
His political activities have been an important part of his work and life as an artist and he served as a County Councillor and has stood as a parliamentary candidate on numerous occasions.  He is a member of the Gorsedd y Beirdd  and of the Arts Council of Wales. In July 2013 Osi celebrated becoming an honorary fellow of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBZl9PtiMBo (English)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fbNVRczMGw (Cymraeg)