Teme Valley Arts Society Lectures – The Sound of Silence: The Art of Gwen John

A talk by Stella Lyons

Wednesday 20 May 2026

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CHANGE TO ORIGINAL PROGRAMME

To accompany the Gwen John exhibition currently on show in Cardiff, Stella Lyons will be talking about this often overlooked artist. Gwen John is renowned for her haunting portraits of solitary women. Yet, contrary to the image of the reclusive artist, this pupil of Whistler, admirer of Cézanne, and lover of Rodin was a forward-thinking artist whose work was ahead of its time.

For many years, she was overshadowed by her flamboyant brother Augustus and her turbulent affair with Rodin. But Gwen forged a unique path in the art world, defying conventions with her luminous portraits and quiet interiors.

This talk unveils the enigmatic brilliance of a Welsh woman who proved that stillness could be revolutionary.

Stella Grace Lyons (website, Facebook, Instagram, Eventbrite) gained her BA in the History of Art from the University of Bristol and her MA in History of Art from the University of Warwick. She spent a year studying Renaissance art in Italy at the British Institute of Florence and three months studying Venetian art in Venice. In addition, she attended drawing classes at the prestigious Charles H. Cecil studios in Florence, a private atelier that follows a curriculum based on the leading ateliers of nineteenth-century Paris.

Stella is a freelance Art History lecturer, speaker and writer, who has lectured extensively both across the UK and internationally, being a much sought-after lecturer for art societies, travel companies, boutique cruise lines, and private members’ clubs in London—such as the RAC, The Hurlingham Club, and The Travellers’ Club. She has also lectured for the University of South Wales.

Aditionally, Stella runs her own online lectures, Stella Talks, which frequently attract listeners from across five continents, from California to Singapore, and has written about art for several publications, including The Arts Society Magazine.

For more information about Stella’s talks and to read a selection of testimonials, please visit www.stellagracelyons.co.uk.

Attend as a Visitor:

You can attend our lectures for just £8 – pay on the door.  Should you subsequently become a member your first lecture fee will be refunded.

Timings

• 1:45 pm onwards – Members Free Registration / Visitors £8 Ticket
• 2:00 pm Auditorium Doors Open
• 2:15 pm Lecture Begins
• 3:30 pm Refreshments Available.  Meet other members and visitors.

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Become A Member:

Our annual membership of £50 or £95 per couple gives you:

• Free Access to 9 Lectures per year
• Exploration Days, Visits and Social Events (extra cost)
• Volunteering opportunites in preservation and conservation projects.
• A quarterly glossy magazine from The Arts Society
• Information on current and local upcoming cultural and artistic events

For membership please see the Teme Valley Arts Society website here.