Iwan Bala has established himself as one of the leading creative artists resident in Wales today.
He was born in Sarnau, near Bala, before moving to Gwyddelwern, near Rhuthun, at the age of seven. Half the children of the village went to secondary school in Rhuthun, the rest - including Iwan - to Ysgol Y Berwyn, Bala. So, by the luck of the location of his home, Iwan came under the influence of dedicated art teacher, Glyn Baines. Under his encouragement, Ysgol y Berwyn art department has produced many contemporary Welsh artists, including Catrin Williams and Angharad Jones.
Iwan tried to put the art world behind him by beginning a geography degree at Aberystwyth, but soon returned to his real interest, completing a degree in art at the Cardiff College of Art.
He succeeded in establishing himself as a working artist in Wales, winning commissions to work in Zimbabwe, for Wales Film and for A Wall for Europe at Wales arts Centre, Cardiff. He has also won numerous awards for his art, including the 1997 Gold Medal for Fine Art at the national Eisteddfod and the Owain Glyndwr Medal for outstanding contributions to the arts in Wales in 1998.
He is currently working on a collection of his essays which reflect upon art in Wales, to be published at this year's National Eisteddfod. Other books by Iwan bala include:
Darllen Delweddau (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
Series of essays commissioned by Planet (1998)
Appropriate Behaviour (1997, Planet)
Welsh Painters Talking (1997Seren Books)
Wales Art Goes International (1996 Planet)
Intimate Portraits (1995 Seren Books)Iwan has been appointed resident artist for Galeri, a new creative enterprise centre opening at Caernarfon's Victoria Dock in 2005.
Iwan's work can currently be seen in collections at the National Museum and Gallery of Wales, the Welsh Museum of Modern Art, Machynlleth and at the Imperial War Museum, London.
One of Wales' most creative artists.
