An exciting new collaboration between Aberystwyth University, Art UK and the Penparcau Community Forum is set to explore the sculpture collection of George Powell of Nanteos. The project is the result of a grant awarded by ArtUK as part of their Sculpture Around You programme which aims to engage communities with their sculptural heritage.
George Powell (1842-1882) inherited the Nanteos Estate on the death of his father in 1878 but prior to this he mainly lived in London and travelled around Europe and into North Africa. He made connections with various artists, writers and musicians across Europe with one of his closest friends being the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne. During this time he built up a collection of small bronze sculptures, principally mythological figures and male nudes. These were bequeathed by Powell to the then new university in Aberystwyth and now form part of the collection of the School of Art Museum and Galleries.
The project will allow a group of residents from Penparcau to explore Powell as a character through his sculpture. The group will visit Nanteos and the School of Art before embarking on a creative project of digital sculptures resulting in 3D printed models. Art UK have commissioned museum consultant Alex Flowers to help develop this exciting digital outcome that will engage participants with their local history. The project will culminate with an exhibition and opening event.
If you want to learn more about this project please contact Phil Garratt at pjg@aber.ac.uk
(Welsh text awaiting translation.)
Mae cynllun cydweithrediadol newydd cyffrous rhwng Prifysgol Aberystwyth, Art UK a Fforwm Cymunedol Penparcau wedi’i sefydlu i ymchwilio i gasgliad cerfluniau George Powell, Nanteos. Canlyniad i grant a ddyfarnwyd gan Art UK yn rhan o’u rhaglen ‘Sculpture Around You’ sy’n ceisio ennyn diddordeb cymunedau yn eu treftadaeth gerfluniol.
Etifeddodd George Powell (1842-1882) Ystâd Nanteos pan fu farw ei dad ym 1878. Cyn hynny roedd yn byw yn Llundain yn bennaf ac yn teithio yn helaeth yn Ewrop a gogledd Affrica. Gwnaeth gysylltiadau ag amrywiol arlunwyr, awduron a cherddorion ledled Ewrop, ac un o’i gyfeillion pennaf oedd y bardd, Algernon Charles Swinburne. Yn ystod y cyfnod hwn adeiladodd gasgliad o gerfluniau bach efydd, ffigurau mytholegol ar y cyfan a noeth-gerfluniau gwrywaidd. Cafodd rhain eu gwaddoli gan Powell i’r brifysgol, newydd ar y pryd, yn Aberystwyth ac maent yn awr yn rhan o gasgliad Amgueddfa ac Oriel yr Ysgol Gelf.
Bydd y prosiect yn caniatáu i grŵp o drigolion Penparcau i ymchwilio i Powell fel cymeriad trwy gyfrwng ei gerfluniau. Fe fyddant yn ymweld â Nanteos ac â’r Ysgol Gelf cyn dechrau ar brosiect creadigol o gerfluniau digidol a fydd yn creu modelau 3D wedi’u hargraffu. Mae Art UK wedi comisiynu’r ymgynghorydd amgueddfa, Alex Flowers, i gynorthwyo i ddatblygu’r canlyniad digidol cyffrous hwn a fydd yn dod â’r trigolion yn rhan o’u hanes lleol. Wrth gwblhau’r prosiect cynhelir arddangosfa ac agoriad swyddogol.
Os hoffech wybod mwy am y prosiect, cysylltwch â Phil Garratt, pjg@aber.ac.uk
Aberystwyth University School of Art Museum & Galleries 