Beca (artist group)

Beca was a group of artists formed in the 1970s in Wales. The group was formed by Welsh artist Paul Davies (1947-93) and brought a new national consciousness to late 20th-century art in Wales.^[1]

Although Beca's importance in Welsh art is still widely unrecognised, it was the instigating movement in the politicalization of art in the country.^[2] The group took international trends and methodologies in art and applied them to a Welsh context. The group's artists drew on a diverse range of sources including Arte Povera, Fluxus and Surrealism.^[2]

The group continued into the 21st century, led by Davies' brother Peter; and together with the likes of artists Ivor Davies, Iwan Bala, Peter Finnemore and Tim Davies the group found respectability under post-modern reassessments. The group used a mixture of artistic expression, including installation, painting, sculpture and performance, engaging with language, environmental and land rights issues.