WALES' wild western coastline the subject of Tim Fudge’s latest exhibition Pembrokeshire-based artist Tim Fudge is well known for his expressive, colourful depictions of Wales’ wild and rocky places, and for his paintings of Scotland and Ireland.

He is typically drawn to scenery that evokes a sense of our ancestors – perhaps through traces of ancient settlements or standing stones, but for his latest show, opening at Workshop Wales Gallery in Fishguard on June 25, he has turned his gaze out to sea.

“One of the main attractions, and challenges of painting the sea is its movement,” he says. “The latest batch of work has been all about trying to instil that into the paintings.”

However, his sense of a connection with our distant past is stronger than ever.

“It sounds paradoxical but the lack of references to human habitation actually strengthened my sense of connection to our ancestors,” he says. “I enjoy that sense of timelessness: the knowledge that a large percentage of the places you are looking out from would have looked the very much the same for millennia.

“A lot of my work is about trying to connect with past generations, and the fact you can’t discern any difference between now and 10,000 years ago gives you a strong link – you are seeing what the ancestors would have looked at. Ironically, the lack of social references leaves me with a strong sense of our social past.”

Tim’s paintings are the result of close observation and time spent in the places he depicts. However, they are created in the studio because he feels memory plays an important role in processing what he has seen, distilling and focusing the experience into an evocative image.

“One of the main themes I pursue is the use of memory,” he says. “I think that becomes more and more important with every year; I need to get a sense of separation from the subject – especially for the more expressive pieces, which are much more about memory than observation.

“This approach is becoming increasingly important year by year: the work is becoming more expressive and semi abstract but is still very much rooted in the subject matter and the place.”

Originally from Scotland, Tim grew up in Yorkshire before settling in Wales, studying art as a mature student at Swansea Institute before moving to West Wales. His latest show is very much a local affair, being held at a gallery so close to the scenery he has been depicting.

“I’m looking forward to the show: The Workshop Wales Gallery is a beautiful space in a ideal location,” he says.

The Workshop Wales Gallery is at Manorwen, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire SA65 9QA • The exhibition runs until Saturday July 15. The Gallery will be open every day from 10am -5pm.