Eirian Llwyd (1951 – 29 January 2014) was a Welsh artist and wife of former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones.

Eirian Llwyd
Born1951 (1951)
Died29 January 2014(2014-01-29) (aged 62–63)
NationalityWelsh
Known forPrintmaker
Spouse
Ieuan Wyn Jones
(m. 1974)

Biography

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Llwyd was born at Prion near Denbigh, Wales.[1] After nursing in Liverpool between 1969-73 she worked as a midwife at St Asaph Hospital. In 1974 she married Ieuan and was supportive of his political career in Parliament, Assembly Member, Leader of Plaid Cymru and Deputy First Minister in the One Wales Government.[2]

Llwyd was a proud nationalist and campaigned alongside Cymdeithas yr Iaith in protest for the Welsh language between the 1960s and 1970s. She also promoted women's positions in politics and helped reconfigure Plaid’s constitution in the 1980s to secure women in Plaid’s major committees. Along with her charity work, Llwyd established the Rhyl branch of Women’s Aid in the 1970s and 1980s.[3]

In 2001, Llwyd focused on art and graduated at Cardiff Institute specializing in the field of print. Thereafter she was regularly exhibited in Wales and abroad.[4][5] Her success helped co-establish a gallery called The Original Print Place, to bring promote a number of other Welsh artists.[6]

At the age of 63, Llwyd died at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor after a short battle with cancer. In January 2015 it was announced a Memorial Fund would be set up in her name to provide grants for new Welsh artists that specialize in printmaking.[7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "Eirian Llwyd, artist and wife of Ieuan Wyn Jones, dies". BBC News. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  2. ^ Tom Bodden (30 January 2014). "Eirian Llwyd, wife of former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan, dies aged 63". northwales. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  3. ^ "A tribute to Eirian Llwyd". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  4. ^ Eryl Crump (5 October 2015). "Art by the late Eirian Llwyd to be exhibited at Y Senedd in Cardiff". northwales. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Celtic Family Magazine Fall 2014 Issue #5". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  6. ^ northwales Administrator (22 March 2013). "Anglesey print maker opens studio to shed light on her craft". northwales. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  7. ^ Eryl Crump (10 December 2015). "New art award in memory of Anglesey artist Eirian Llwyd". northwales. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Arts Council of Wales - Eirian Llwyd Memorial Award". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.