County needs a Sutherland gallery (From Western Telegraph)

County needs a Sutherland gallery

DEAR EDITOR, - I learn with dismay that neither the Graham Sutherland Collection or the Fishguard Last Invasion of Britain Tapestry will be housed in their own building in Pembrokeshire.

The Graham Sutherland paintings were inspired by and bequeathed to Pembrokeshire. So, why should they go to Cardiff only to visit Pembrokeshire occasionally. This is a very significant and prestigious collection and should be on permanent exhibition in Pembrokeshire. The cellars at the National Museum in Cardiff are already full of objects and works of art that will never see the light of day.

The Last Invasion Tapestry was designed by Elizabeth Cramp RWS. It is 100 feet long and was made by 76 local stitchers. Over five years it drew 130,000 visitors from 82 countries. When it was exhibited for five weeks this summer, with no advertising or marketing and during a summer when people could have chosen to go to the beach, 3,704 people visited.

What was the consultant's brief? Did they consider the affect of Oriel Mon, with its Tunnicliffe Collection, on the Anglesey economy, or the affect of Tate St Ives on its local economy? Both these projects have played an important part in the regeneration of their localities. This could happen in Pembrokeshire with these two projects.

Is it a lack of vision or a lack of money? At the end of the day, it's politicians who make decisions not consultants. We need our leaders to have an inspired vision and be brave enough to support and run with these projects.

We cannot rely on the directors and managers of the National Museums and Galleries of Wales. We need our politicians to stand up and do something positive about these two projects before the opportunity is lost completely. Lack of money? What about Objective One money? There was enough money to go to war. Why isn't there enough money for these two projects?

MAUREEN BENNETT Morawel, Bwlch Mawr, Dinas.