About
Barbara Castle 

Barbara Castle is a contemporary impressionist and abstract artist, best known for her vivid impressions of the South Wales Valleys. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings, Barbara uses a wide variety of materials, media and mark making. Each composition can take months to evolve. By building up, removing and reworking different paints, pastels and inks Barbara creates layers of texture and movement.

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Barbara was born in London but has lived and worked in South Wales for nearly fifty years. Her professional career centred around community development and regeneration. She became an influential figure in this field and was awarded an OBE for Services to Regeneration in Wales in 2010. This work took her to many places, primarily in and around the South Wales Valleys and has had a deep influcence on her art practice. 

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She remained passionate about art throughout her career, sketching, painting, and refining her distinctive style. On retiring from full-time work in 2015, Barbara decided to focus on her painting and see if she could finally achieve her dreams.

Barbara works mainly from her farmhouse studio, situated high in the hills, overlooking an historic mining landscape.

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If you would like to find out more about Barbara Castle and her work, please click here: 

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https://cynonvalleymuseum.wales/exhibitions-at-home/barbara-castle-working-valleys/