A well-known Ceredigion artist has accused the art scene of being “too elitist”.

Wynne Melville Jones is of the opinion that art needs to be for everyone and not just for a select few who are financially privileged.

“Too often public galleries and private business concentrate more on people who are wealthy,” said Wynne.

“But I strongly believe art should be a medium that enriches everybody’s life.”

His comments follow the publishing of his Darluniau o Gymru / Paintings of Wales last week.

The bilingual book shares some of Wynne’s best-known paintings, as well as telling the story behind the pictures. Wynne paints landscapes from all over the country and some of his works have created interest far beyond.

His painting of Soar-y-Mynydd chapel is owned by former US president Jimmy Carter, and his picture of ‘Elvis Rock’ at Eisteddfa Gurig, Ceredigion, is now on display in Graceland Tennessee.

Most recently his painting of Pantycelyn went on a tour around Wales including visiting the Senedd in Cardiff, as a response to the lack of celebration and recognition for influential national figure Williams Pantycelyn, 300 years after his death.

The book was launched last Saturday at an exhibition of some of the works featured in the book at Oriel Rhiannon, Tregaron in the company of Ben Lake MP and Sulwyn Thomas with Bois y Fro and Merched Soar performing.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online now