ARTIST ROOMS brings major Helen Chadwick exhibition to Oriel y Parc
A major exhibition of work by Helen Chadwick, which will for the first time show her Viral Landscapes in the landscape which inspired them, will open at Oriel y Parc, National Park Discovery Centre, St Davids this summer, bringing internationally recognised contemporary art to the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Helen Chadwick: Body and Landscape will run from 11 July 2026 to 10 January 2027 and is organised as part of ARTIST ROOMS, which presents the work of international artists in solo exhibitions drawn from a national touring collection jointly owned by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland.
Bryony White, Senior Curator at Amgueddfa Cymru said: “Helen Chadwick was a true original. Through her radical and singular approach to art and ideas, she produced a body of work which retains its relevance and power, even today. We’re delighted to partner with Oriel y Parc to present this exhibition in Pembrokeshire where, for the first time, visitors will be able to experience and enjoy some of Chadwick’s Viral Landscapes in the landscape which inspired them.”
One of the most radical and inventive artists of her generation, Chadwick worked across sculpture, photography and installation, using materials in bold and unexpected ways to explore ideas of self, gender, the body and the natural world.
The exhibition will have particular resonance in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which inspired Chadwick’s Viral Landscapes series, created between 1988 and 1989, after being awarded an Artists in National Parks commission by the Victoria and Albert Museum.
She walked the Coast Path between Fishguard and Castlemartin, photographing the meeting point of land and sea, and experiencing the powerful effect on her senses and sense of self. This will be the first time her Pembrokeshire works have been shown in the landscape that inspired them.
The exhibition will also include major works such as Piss Flowers, reflecting the breadth, force and originality of Chadwick’s practice. Although she died suddenly in 1996 at the age of 42, her prolific body of work and her commitment to teaching made her a vital influence on the next generation of British artists and beyond.
James Parkin, Director of Nature and Tourism at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “Helen Chadwick’s work has a powerful connection with Pembrokeshire, and it is very special to be able to bring pieces from her Viral Landscapes series back to the landscape that helped shape them.
“This exhibition reflects the strength of Oriel y Parc as a nationally significant gallery space and the importance of our partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru, Tate, and National Galleries of Scotland. It gives visitors a rare opportunity to experience major contemporary art in one of the most remarkable protected landscapes in the UK.”
Helen Chadwick: Body and Landscape will be on display at Oriel y Parc from 11 July 2026 to 10 January 2027. Admission is free.
Notes to editors
ARTIST ROOMS
ARTIST ROOMS presents the work of international artists in solo exhibitions drawn from a national touring collection jointly owned by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland. Its programme reaches audiences across the UK and is developed through local partnerships. ARTIST ROOMS gives young people the chance to get involved in creative projects, discover more about art and artists, and learn new skills. Since 2009, some 220 exhibitions have been shown at nearly 100 museum and galleries around the UK, with 60 million visitors.
The ARTIST ROOMS programme and collection is managed by Tate and National Galleries of Scotland with the support of Art Fund, Henry Moore Foundation and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Creative Scotland. Its founding collection was established through The d'Offay Donation in 2008 with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund and the Scottish and British Governments.
For more information visit: www.nationalgalleries.org/artistrooms | www.tate.org.uk/artist-rooms | www.artistrooms.org | #ARTISTROOMS
ART FUND
Art Fund is the national charity for museums and galleries. For over 120 years, it has helped museums and galleries across the UK to develop and share their collections, invest in people and expertise, grow their audiences and inspire the next generation.
Art Fund connects museums and people with great art and culture through funding, advocacy and initiatives, because access to art is vital for a healthy society. It champions the sector through the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year Award - the world’s largest museum prize – and supports museum professionals through dedicated training and grant programmes.
Independent and people-powered, Art Fund is supported by 142,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, as well as generous contributions from individuals, trusts and foundations. The National Art Pass offers free or discounted entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places in the UK, 50% off major exhibitions, a subscription to Art Quarterly magazine and Art In Your Inbox newsletter.
www.artfund.org
HENRY MOORE FOUNDATION
The Henry Moore Foundation was founded by the artist and his family in 1977 to encourage public appreciation of the visual arts. Today we support innovative sculpture projects, devise an imaginative programme of exhibitions and research worldwide, and preserve the legacy of Moore himself: one of the great sculptors of the 20th century, who did so much to bring the art form to a wider audience.
henry-moore.org
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. We invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
CREATIVE SCOTLAND
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow Creative Scotland on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
AMGUEDDFA CYMRU
Amgueddfa Cymru belongs to everyone and is here for everyone to enjoy. We’re a charity and a family of seven national museums located across the country. We aim to be a cultural beacon for Wales in the world and to inspire learning and enjoyment for everyone through Wales’ National Collection. Our welcome is free thanks to funding from the Welsh Government and extends to people from all communities. Follow Amgueddfa Cymru’s seven museums on Instagram and Facebook. Play your part in Wales’ story: by visiting, volunteering, by joining, by donating. www.museum.wales