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Gwen John

At Swansea's Glynn Vivian gallery, curator Karen McKinnon shows presenter Kim Howells a typical example of Gwen John's work - a three-quarter portrait, with the title 'Little Girl wearing a Straw Hat'. They refer to the muted colours and limited palette - a style she developed having drawn and painted from an early age. This painting also illustrates how she was influenced by Japanese prints with the use of a fine and minimal line. Karen feels that the look on the subject's face reflects Gwen John's interest in a more 'interior life' - she was contemplative and happy to spend time on her own.

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