(Q64402)

Robert Lambert Gapper was born at Llanaelhaearn, Caernarfonshire, in 1897. Originally an electrical engineer, he served on the Western Front during the First World War, worked in Rugby, and studied at Bangor. His artistic career began when he enrolled at the Royal College of Art in the 1920s, and after visiting Italy he became increasingly interested in sculpture and stonemasonry, preferring to work with the slate and granite of his native Snowdonia, as well as bronze and wood. The art for which he was best known typically comprised public works, such as memorials and gravestones, portrait busts, ecclesiastical furniture and ornaments, and eisteddfod regalia, medals, certificates and pavilions. All of R. L. Gapper's art work was produced to commission, and many of the projects he worked on are not represented in this archive. In 1934, R. L. Gapper was appointed assistant lecturer in Art at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and he eventually became Senior Lecturer in Art and Head of the Art Department, retiring in 1962. This is how he described his position in a CV written in 1968 (see A2/16), although he was nevertheless sometimes referred to as 'Professor' Gapper. R. L. Gapper often adjudicated in the Art and Craft section of the National Eisteddfod, and he was commissioned to undertake many projects for the Eisteddfod. His contribution to Welsh culture was recognised by election to the Board of Gorsedd y Beirdd relatively early in his career, and he was elected as a member of the Council of the National Eisteddfod when it was established in 1930; he also served as a member of both the Board and the Court. In addition, he contributed extensively to local eisteddfodau throughout his life, and served as a member of the Council of Urdd Gobaith Cymru. He died in 1984.