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Cathedral funeral for Sir Kyffin Cathedral funeral for Sir Kyffin
(40 minutes later)
The funeral has taken place at Bangor Cathedral of distinguished Welsh artist Sir Kyffin Williams. Around 600 people attended the funeral at Bangor Cathedral of distinguished Welsh artist Sir Kyffin Williams.
Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan led the service for Sir Kyffin, who died earlier this month aged 88.Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan led the service for Sir Kyffin, who died earlier this month aged 88.
Tributes were given by Professor Derec Llwyd Morgan, ex-vice chancellor of Aberystwyth University, and Nicholas Sinclair, the artist's godson.Tributes were given by Professor Derec Llwyd Morgan, ex-vice chancellor of Aberystwyth University, and Nicholas Sinclair, the artist's godson.
Opera star Bryn Terfel and harpist Elinor Bennett, also performed during the hour-long service.Opera star Bryn Terfel and harpist Elinor Bennett, also performed during the hour-long service.
The Marquess of Anglesey gave a reading at the service. Terfel sang My Little Welsh Home, and the Marquess of Anglesey gave a reading at the service.
Among the invited mourners were other Welsh artists, Lord Crickhowell (former Welsh Secretary Nicholas Edwards) and Lady Crickhowell, and Anglesey AM and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones. The Archbishop of Wales said Sir Kyffin's "preferred option" would have been a small funeral because in spite of his fame he did not believe many people would come to his funeral.
"He was genuinely humble and never felt fully accepted by the art establishment in Wales," said the Archbishop.
Permanent memorialPermanent memorial
Sir Kyffin, who died from cancer on 1 September in an Anglesey nursing home, has been praised as the finest painter of his generation.Sir Kyffin, who died from cancer on 1 September in an Anglesey nursing home, has been praised as the finest painter of his generation.
The man who turned to a career in art only after ill-health prevented him from joining the Army was known worldwide for his oil paintings depicting his native north Wales countryside and drawings of figures and animals.The man who turned to a career in art only after ill-health prevented him from joining the Army was known worldwide for his oil paintings depicting his native north Wales countryside and drawings of figures and animals.
There have been a number of calls for a permanent memorial in his honour to be set up, with many calling for it to be sited on Anglesey where he grew up.There have been a number of calls for a permanent memorial in his honour to be set up, with many calling for it to be sited on Anglesey where he grew up.
Sir Kyffin was recognised as the foremost Welsh painterAfter the service, Sir Kyffin will be buried at Llanfairynghornwy, near Cemaes, on Anglesey. Sir Kyffin was recognised as the foremost Welsh painterSir Kyffin was later buried at Llanfairynghornwy, near Cemaes, on Anglesey.
Mr Sinclair described his godfather as a generous and witty communicator who will be remembered as the principal Welsh artist of the second half of the 20th Century. During the service, Dr Llwyd Morgan said Sir Kyffin was a fantastic story teller, and he did not let the facts stand in the way of a good yarn.
He said: "He left the Slade school of art in 1944 and by the summer of 1948 he knew what he had to do. On one visit to the artist's home Dr Llwyd Morgan noticed a Volvo estate car in the garage, a change from the van and Skoda Sir Kyffin had driven previously.
'Vision' When asked about his new car Sir Kyffin said he had bought it because of the number plate which ended with the letters YSK.
"He knew his subject, and that was the Welsh people and the Welsh landscape and he remained completely consistent and faithful to the vision for 60 years, which is an extraordinary thing to have done." The saleswoman at the garage had told him, he said, that the letters stood for 'Young Sir Kyffin' and on the strength of that he had bought the car.
Mr Sinclair described his godfather as a "born communicator". Although his work was profound, dark and broody he also had a humorous and mischievous mind.
He had a remarkable memory, said Mr Sinclair, and would work every day to "train" his brain by learning something new.
"He would remember a face and return to the studio , sometimes months later, and paint that face from memory," he said.
Sir Kyffin would be "honoured and touched" that so many had turned out for his funeral, Mr Sinclair added.Sir Kyffin would be "honoured and touched" that so many had turned out for his funeral, Mr Sinclair added.
Artist Harry Holland, who had known him for about 25 years, said he was "one of the funniest men I've ever met and also one of the men most interested in beauty". Among the invited mourners were other Welsh artists, Lord Crickhowell (former Welsh Secretary Nicholas Edwards) and Lady Crickhowell, and Anglesey AM and Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones.
He said: "He always regarded himself as painter in the Western tradition, adding to the Western tradition from his locale, making things that other people could love."
Anglesey Council wants the national gallery in the painter's honour to be set up on the island where he was born and where he spent much of his life.
Dr Llwyd Morgan said Sir Kyffin revered his Anglesey forebears and remained prolific as an artist throughout his life.
He said: "He couldn't give it up. He didn't want to give it up. It had been his life from London and the 1940s until last year, really."
The assembly government has already promised extra support for the Oriel Mon project to house 400 of Sir Kyffin's works.
There was still a "shortfall of a quarter of a million pounds, which must be raised" said Dr Llwyd Morgan.
But Culture Minister Alun Pugh has acknowledged there are differing views on where a gallery should be set up.