Celf o Gwmpas ‘Discovery’-exhibition, Brecon Arts Centre, until 27th January 2020

Two Aberystwyth School of Art graduates, Ruth Hogg and Suzzy Murphy, have work on show at the Celf o Gwmpas ‘Discovery’ exhibition in Brecon Arts Centre until 27th January 2020. Encompassing themes from gender, environmentalism and mental health, the work on show portrays the artists’ discovery of new things about themselves and their practice over the last year. The network was founded in 2016 and since then has gone from strength to strength and is now funded by Arts Council Wales. Jane Mason is an artist and curator of the Discovery Exhibition.

Fjallkona – Iceland’s Lady of the Mountain

Johann Baptist Zwecker (1814-1876). The Lady of the Mountain. Watercolour, mid 1860s. Aberystwyth University School of Art Museum. (George E. J. Powell Bequest, 1882)

As Britannia is to Britons, Italia is to Italians, and Germania is to Germans, so too is Fjallkona – The Lady of the Mountain – to Icelanders. Yet all but a handful of scholars know that the first ever female personification of Iceland was commissioned from a German artist by a Welsh patron.

Katie Middlehurst writes about her AberForward experience – Summer 2019

Unkindness of Ravens, Colin See-Paynton

Iracibility of Robins, Of a Feather – an Avian Alphabet, Colin See-Paynton

Zephyr of Long-tailed Titmice I, Of a Feather – An Avian Alphabet, Colin See-Paynton

Walk of Wagtails, Of a Feather – An Avian Alphabet, Colin See-Paynton

Round of Wrens, Of a Feather – An Avian Alphabet, Colin See-Paynton

(Click on images to enlarge them.)

There are few greater pleasures than spending an hour, or two, perusing and discovering works of art; gorging on colours and textures, meditating on concepts new and old. To hold, to witness the art in the form of an object, not merely a reproduction or an illusion on a screen, transforms a potentially passive experience into an intimate and engaging one. I eagerly anticipated enjoying such delights during my summer internship at the School of Art.

ArtUK Sculpture Project – George Powell of Nanteos/Prosiect Cerfluniaeth Art UK– George Powell o Nanteos

George Ernest John Powell

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.

“The Take Over 2019” at the Arts Centre, 7th May 2019

An Essay and its unexpected Aftermath

“Even essays can grow if fed and watered.”

These wise words come from our very own postgraduate student Gerry McGandy who contributed his undergraduate essay Who were Edward J. Burrow and Richard Eustace Tickell and why did they record The Vale of Nantgwilt in 1893? to this blog back in 2017.

Artist Kate Green came across his text and contacted Gerry, telling him about her latest project called ‘Walking the Pipe’. She told him that the essay was helpful and led to further research by her; to the extent that she purchased a copy of the book in which the discussed prints, which we hold in the School of Art collection, were originally published.

By now, the project has at least two artists and two musicians, including Gerry, collaborating. They intend, for example, to base a song on the memoirs of a woman called Hetty Price, of life in the valley before the dams and her sorrow at its passing.

So, all you weary students who suffer from writer’s blog and/or general ‘essay fatigue’: take courage and carry on writing. You never know what might come of it!

See the poster for more information about all events Kate and her fellow artists have planned. It surely looks very interesting, and we wish her all the best with her project.

AberForward intern Emily Willis writes about her placement at the School of Art

Annabelle (right) and Emily (left) putting up the Print REbels exhibitions

Prior to this work placement I had no experience working in a museum or gallery and was keen to find voluntary or employment in this sector. So, when the opportunity of a four-week paid work placement in the School of Art Museum and Galleries at Aberystwyth University arose via the AberForward scheme I immediately applied. Luckily the duration of my placement as a Curatorial and Technical Support Assistant came at a most opportune time to experience the whole process of preparing, installing and uninstalling an exhibition.