Osi Rhys Osmond comes from Wattsville, Sirhowy, in the Gwent Valleys, where his male relatives were coal-miners. He was educated in Newport and Cardiff. He was a Lecturer in Drawing, Painting and Art History at Swansea Metropolitan University School of Art and Design, and a member of the Arts Council of Wales. For many years he wrote reviews and articles on art and culture and appeared on TV and radio in both Welsh and English. He was elected to the Gorsedd of the Bards in 2006, in recognition of his contribution to the arts, education and the promulgation of the Welsh language.