Shani Rhys James

Shani Rhys James was born in 1953 in Melbourne, Australia, the daughter of a Welsh father and an Australian mother and came to the UK as a child. Growing up in Australia during her early years was by her own admission a particular contributing factor from her childhood to her decision to make art a career. Early education took place in Eltham, Australia from 5 to 9 years of age then Parliament Hill Girls School, London. ==Education and career==

Rhys James studied at Loughborough College of Art and Design and in 1976 obtained a degree in Fine Art at Saint Martin's School of Art, in London. Rhys James is known particularly for her melancholy self-portraits. Her 1993 Studio with Gloves shows her sitting in her studio. When she is not painting herself she generally paints other women, still lifes, domestic scenes or "riotously spiky and rip-roaring" vases of flowers. Art critic Michael Glover says "There's something mad, wild and thuggish about this work, such is its total lack of restraint. It seems to be gulping at colour... She lathers and slathers on the paint with a kind of unrestrained glee. No wonder the eyes of the model are always slightly bulbous with a kind of childish wonderment". Prints, studies in charcoal and ink are also produced by Rhys James as well as painting. Rhys James has been elected to the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art and the 56 Group Wales. Rhys James has exhibited across Europe, also in the US, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. She is represented by the Martin Tinney Gallery, Cardiff. ==Solo exhibitions==

Listed by BBC Wales Arts webpage unless otherwise stated. • 2015 – Distillation, landmark exhibition of Shani Rhys James's work at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth ==Prizes and awards==

Listed by Martin Tinney Gallery unless otherwise stated. • 1994 Elected member of 56 Group Wales • 1994 Elected member of Royal Cambrian Academy • 1994 Winner of the BBC Wales Visual Art Award 1994 • 1994 Second Prize, BP National Portrait Award • 2006 Creative Wales Award, Arts Council of Wales • 2007 Honorary Fellowship, University of Wales Institute Cardiff • 2007 Glyndwr Award for an Outstanding Contribution to Arts in Wales, presented by MOMA Wales ==Personal life==

Rhys James is married to artist Stephen West She has bought a second home in Charente, France (2010), where she spends a lot of time. ==See also==