A collaborative ‘love’ themed artwork created for Gŵyl Cariad Aber by visual artists Nicky Arscott, Charlie Carter, Elin Crowley, Hilary Reed and Lena Tomasik, as part of the CELF project at Aberystwyth Arts Centre (The National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales).
Whilst on a visit to the National Library of Wales the artists were inspired by artworks celebrating the incredible landscapes and nature of Wales and agreed that ‘love for landscape’ would be the thread uniting the work. They were inspired by artists Teresa Jenellen, Anni Suganami, Seren Morgan Jones, Margaret Jones, Kim Atkinson, Noelle Griffiths, Graham Sutherland, Mary Lloyd Jones, Roger Ceciland Katie Allen, all of whom have pieces in the national collection.
Working individually but with a cohesive vision, the artists focused their attention on the flowers, plants, lichen and mosses found in the Dovey Valley which is internationally recognised for its incredible biodiversity. Species such as Bog Rosemary, Sundew, Bog Asphodel, Irish Ladies Tresses Orchid, Whorled Caraway and Betony were studied, alongside non-native threatening species such as Himalayan Balsam.
The national collections of contemporary art held by Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales belong to everyone in Wales. The CELF model enables wider democratic access through a dispersed network of galleries across Wales. The Celf ar y Cyd website is a core feature of CELF. This initiative provides access both digitally and physically to the nation’s collections across Wales
The nine venues that are members of the CELF network of galleries are:
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth, Glynn Vivian Arts Centre, Swansea, MOSTYN, Llandudno Newport Museum & Art Gallery, Newport, Oriel Davies, Newtown,
Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen, Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, Pwlleli, Ruthin Craft Centre, Ruthin STORIEL, Bangor.
