In Conversation with David Griffiths

A full half hour chat with one of Britain's foremost portrait artists.

Over the next six months or so, I have been given the privilege of four half hour specials for the Arts Show on BBC Radio Wales, and I’m taking the opportunity to have four longform conversations with some of Wales’ leading cultural figures from the arts. It begins tonight (Friday Sept 13) with my chat with one of the UK’s foremost portrait artists, David Griffiths.

David has been one of the most sought after portraitists for nearly 60 years, and, as I mention to him in the interview, is by now something akin to the official documentarian of the leading figures of Welsh public life. His work has taken in royalty, politicians, dignitaries, scientists, artists, sports stars, as well shopkeepers, neighbours, and even his window cleaner.

I had a fascinating chat with him — about his childhood, his development as an artist, and the time he painted Enoch Powell.

It’s a great chat, and great start to this new series. You can listen to it at 6.30pm on BBC Radio Wales this evening, and catch up with it on BBC Sounds thereafter.