´óÏó´«Ã½

, the team behind the UK's largest international visual art prize, have welcomed Welsh artist Tim Davies onto their board.

Davies, who is head of fine art at Swansea Metropolitan University, was the only European artist shortlisted for the prestigious award in its first-ever year in 2004.

Tim Davies

He was also selected to represent Wales in a solo exhibition of video and two-dimensional work at the 54th Venice Biennale of Art in 2011. It was only the fifth time that Wales had staged an exhibition in the festival's history.

His appointment to the charity comes at its busiest time, as it is gearing up to announce the international shortlist for the fifth Artes Mundi Prize at the end of January.

Accepting the appointment, he said: "I am thrilled to become part of an organisation with such an outstanding record - not only promoting contemporary visual art in Wales but also building Wales' cultural standing on the world stage."

William Wilkins, Chairman of Artes Mundi, added: "I am delighted that Tim Davies has agreed to join us.

"As one of Wales' best known and most distinguished artists, his experience and knowledge of the visual arts and of arts education in Wales will be invaluable to us."

Ben Borthwick, Chief Executive and Artistic Director, who joined Artes Mundi from Tate Modern in 2010, said: "Artists are at the centre of everything Artes Mundi does so the recruitment of Tim Davies as a trustee is an important step forward.

"Crucially, at a time of development for Artes Mundi's activity and ambitions, he brings to the board the experience and insight of being shortlisted for the prize himself."

Davies, who is based in Swansea, works in a range of media. He is primarily an installation artist whose work often derives from environmental or political concerns.

His contributions to the Biennale included two pieces inspired by the Venetian city. 'Drift' gave audiences an unusual view, whilst 'Frari' was a result of an "emotional" visit to the inside of a little-seen landmark bell tower.

Artes Mundi was established in 2002 as a contemporary visual arts initiative to promote artists who are "socially-engaged" and give them exposure on an international platform. Work is already under way to prepare for its autumn exhibition at the new .