School of Art

Contact Details

School of Art
Aberystwyth University
Buarth Mawr
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 1NG

Tel: +44 (0)1970 622460

Fax: +44 (0)1970 622461

Email: artschool@aber.ac.uk

Derek Williams: A Collector of Modern British Art

A loan exhibition from Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

22 October – 30 November 2007

This exhibition includes major works from the Derek Williams Collection at the National Museum Wales including paintings by Josef Herman, L.S Lowry, John Piper, Ceri Richards, Stanley Spencer, Graham Sutherland and Keith Vaughan. The Derek Williams Collection is on long term loan to the museum but not part of its permanent holdings.

David Jones, Landscape in France, c.1928

David Jones, Landscape in France, c.1928



Derek Williams (1930–1980) was a chartered surveyor at his family practice based in Cardiff and Pontypridd. After his death his personal fortune and collection of art formed the basis of The Derek Williams Trust, an independent charity which works alongside the National Museum Wales.

Keith Vaughan, Lovers, 1943

Keith Vaughan, Lovers, 1943



Immediately following William's death David Dykes, then the Director of the Museum commented that 'these brief instructions to his Trustees by this very private and modest man, have resulted in a benefaction that is surpassed only by the bequests of French Art from Gwendoline and Margaret Davies. The sisters' collection transformed this museum. The benefaction of Derek Williams will do the same. He has given the resources to form a collection of modern art which will complement and equal in quality this earlier gift.'

John Piper (1903-1992), A Ruined House, Hampton Gay, Oxfordshire, 1941, oil and indian ink on canvas stretched on board

John Piper (1903-1992), A Ruined House, Hampton Gay, Oxfordshire, 1941, oil and indian ink on canvas stretched on board



Since that time the Trust's annual income has been used to make additions to the orginal collection, has provided funding for art commissions, research, the Welsh National Eisteddfod Purchasing Grant and the Artes Mundi Purchasing Grant. In addition it has assisted the National Museum to make significant purchases of contemporary art including works by David Hockney, Rachel Whiteread, Anthony Caro and Sean Scully.

William Roberts, The Shooting Party, 1976

William Roberts, The Shooting Party, 1976



 
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