Niall Griffiths: Talk and Book Reading

April 7, 2010 - PRLog -- Acclaimed Welsh author Niall Griffiths will be visiting the Glynn Vivian this spring, to give a one-off talk and book reading as part of the art gallery’s continued series of alternative events, talks and performances.

The award winning writer will be at the venue on Alexandra Road on April 16 at 3.30pm, to discuss his back catalogue of work and to talk about his more recent projects such as his book reviews and travel writing, including the honest and frank depictions of ‘Real Aberystwyth’ and ‘Real Liverpool’.

Niall Griffiths was born in Toxteth, Liverpool, a city which features heavily in much of his writing, as does the rural, costal town of Aberystwyth in west Wales, where he now lives and works.

Much of his early work is set in the places he is most familiar with, Liverpool and Wales. It is these two contrasting landscapes that provide the backdrop for his raw, intense and compelling tales of tormented characters and their misspent lives.

His stories are rooted in world which is far from that of the accepted or aspirational norm, a world of drunks, druggies and delinquents, where the inhabitants continually struggle through a series of complicated situations, eager to find solace and aspire to greater things.

In his writing Griffiths creates a unique language to connect us with his protagonists, a phonetical poetry of dialect and slang that so effectively draw us into his world.

It is through these similarities that previous critics have considered Griffiths as the Welsh ‘Irvine Welsh’.

Griffiths’ has published six books to date. His first novel ‘Grits’ (2000) was later made into a film for television and tells the story of a group of drifters washed up in Aberystwyth. This was followed by ‘Sheepshagger’ (2001), ‘Kelly + Victor’ (2003) and ‘Stump’ (2004) for which Griffiths won ‘Book of the Year’ awards from the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Books Council. ‘Kelly + Victor’ and ‘Stump’ are also currently being made into films.

His more recent work includes ‘Ten Pound Pom’, which tells the story of emigration to Australia from Britain and the subsequent turmoil experienced. This is very close to Griffiths own life, and could be considered as the closest to an autobiography as he has written to date.

Griffiths continues to work, writing numerous travel pieces, restaurant and book reviews and radio plays.

Niall Griffiths commented “Any opportunity to do my thing in Wales's second city - or first city, when I'm there - is pounced on quickly. I've been hearing great things about the Glynn Viv, so I'm looking forwards to confirming whether they're true or not, and, if they, perhaps making them even greater.”

Interpretation Officer at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Gordon Dalton said, “Niall Griffiths is one of the most exciting novelists writing today. He is honest and brutal, yet also affectionate for people and places. This is a great opportunity to see him talk about his work and I would advise people to get here early.”

To find out more about this event, or any of the activities and exhibitions at the Glynn Vivian, call 01792 516900 or visit the website http://www.swansea.gov.uk/glynnvivian

All activities and exhibitions at the art gallery are free.

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