Shani Rhys-James, M.B.E. (Melbourne b. 1953)

Shani Rhys James is one of Wales' most prominent living artists. Particularly regarded for her melancholic self-portraits, the arresting painting offered here is an important work within the artist's oeuvre. It was awarded Second Prize at the BP National Portrait Award in 1994, two years after her first solo exhibition, and was included in the landmark retrospective exhibition of her work held earlier this year at the National Library of Wales.