![A young woman stands in the Gwen John: Strange Beauties exhibition, studying the painting Self-Portrait, 1902 by Gwen John [Tate]](https://cdn.prgloo.com/media/84dd545c6c364b33bcf4c0321f35bcb7.jpg?width=968&height=1452)
Calling all Gwens… A celebration to mark the month of Gwen John’s 150th birthday
Gwenwch, mai'n ddydd GWENer. Mis i ddathlu pen-blwydd Gwen John yn 150 oed
As Gwen John: Strange Beauties enters its final few weeks at National Museum Cardiff, Amgueddfa Cymru is offering free exhibition tickets for those named Gwen.
The offer, available from today [Dydd GWENer | Friday 29 May] until the exhibition closes in Cardiff on 28 June, marks what would have been the birthday month of Welsh artist Gwen John, who was born 150 years ago in Pembrokeshire.
With just weeks before it closes, visitors now have a final opportunity to experience one of the most comprehensive retrospectives of Gwen John’s work. And if you happen to have ‘Gwen’ in your name, you can visit for free.
Head of Exhibitions at Amgueddfa Cymru, Lowri Angharad Williams said:
"Gwen John’s name has been on everyone’s lips this year as well as popping up on posters and banners around Cardiff and beyond, so what better way to celebrate her birthday month than to invite her namesakes to come and enjoy the exhibition for free.
"Whether you’re a Gwen or a Gwenith, a Gwenno or a Gwendoline, this is a great opportunity to see a world-class exhibition before it leaves Cardiff to tour internationally."
Visitors wanting to take up this offer will need to use the code GWEN150 when booking their tickets online.
Following its opening in February, Gwen John: Strange Beauties has drawn critical acclaim and exceeded initial visitor targets, with many ticket buyers being first-time visitors to the Museum.
The exhibition has helped spark a wider cultural moment around Gwen John in her 150th year, with a BBC Cymru Wales documentary bringing renewed attention to her life and work and two new books published which focus on her work. Amgueddfa Cymru has also collaborated with world-renowned fashion designer and Gwen John collector Jonathan Anderson to create a series of cornettes inspired by Gwen’s work which are on display alongside the exhibition at National Museum Cardiff, along with a limited edition poster which is available to buy exclusively from the Museum’s shop.
Chief Executive of Amgueddfa Cymru, Jane Richardson said:
"Gwen John has always been in the shadow of others, but she’s now firmly in the spotlight, yet doing it with the quiet grace and dignity that characterises her works.
"The response so far to the exhibition has been truly incredible. It’s really resonated with our audiences, and I’m particularly pleased that so many have been first-time visitors. It’s such an honour to be able to share our collection with so many people and for our visitors to get to know Gwen for the wonderful artist she is. We hope this has ignited a spark for more people to be inspired by Wales’ national collection and look forward to continuing to welcome our visitors both in Cardiff and across our museums in Wales."
For more information and to book tickets, visit museum.wales/GwenJohn
ENDS
Notes to editors
HOW TO BOOK TICKETS USING THE OFFER:
- The offer is available for anyone named Gwen, or with any variation of ‘Gwen’ in their name (e.g. Gwenno, Gwenllian, Gwenda).
- Tickets can be booked online at museum.wales/GwenJohn using the code GWEN150 in the promo code box.
- Visitors to National Museum Cardiff wanting to take up the offer on the day of their visit to the Museum can show their ID at the welcome desk to receive a free ticket.
Pricing structure:
|
Off peak |
Peak |
|||
|
Including donation |
Without donation |
Including donation |
Without donation |
|
|
Full price |
£11 |
£10 |
£16 |
£14 |
|
Open Concession |
£8 |
£7 |
£11 |
£10 |
|
Under 16s, Members, HYNT |
Free |
Free |
Free |
Free |
|
ICOM, Museums Association, National Art Pass |
Free |
Free |
Free |
Free |
Notes to Editors
For further information, contact: communications@museumwales.ac.uk
About Amgueddfa Cymru
Amgueddfa Cymru belongs to everyone and is here for everyone to use. We’re a charity and a family of seven national museums located across the country. Our aim is to inspire everyone through Wales’ story, at our museums, in communities and digitally. Our welcome is free thanks to funding from the Welsh Government.
Follow Amgueddfa Cymru’s seven museums on Instagram and Facebook. Play your part in Wales’ story: by visiting, volunteering, by joining, by donating.
- Gwen John: Strange Beauties is organised in partnership with the National Galleries of Scotland, Yale Center for British Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C. and will go on to tour to partner galleries in Scotland and the USA throughout 2026 and 2027.
- The exhibition is generously supported by principal funder, the Colwinston Charitable Trust, with additional support from Art Fund, The Finnis Scott Foundation, Friends of Amgueddfa Cymru, The Gibbs Trust, Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Charity, International Music and Art Foundation and Michael Marks Charitable Trust; as well as individual supporters.
- Two new publications to accompany the exhibition are available to buy:
- o Gwen John: Strange Beauties (hardback, £50) is published by the Yale Center for British Art in association with Amgueddfa Cymru
- o Unseen Gwen John (paperback, £24.99) is published by Amgueddfa Cymru with a foreword by poet Gwyneth Lewis
Both are available from Amgueddfa Cymru museum shops and all good booksellers.
- BBC iPlayer documentary Keep the World Away: Finding Gwen John, presented by Sian Eleri, follows a journey from Pembrokeshire to London and Paris to explore the mystery, life and continuing influence of Gwen John for new audiences.
- National Museum Cardiff will host New Perspectives on Gwen John: A Forum on 11 June 2026, a major symposium bringing together curators, conservators and researchers to present new insights into John’s powerful artistic vision and extraordinary legacy.
TOURING EXHIBITION DATES
- National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two, Edinburgh – 1 August 2026 – 4 January 2027
- Yale Center for British Art, Connecticut – 18 February – 20 June 2027
- National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington DC – 30 July – 28 November 2027