Today, ten pieces of Cardiff-inspired art are being unveiled by 欧美成人 in a St. David鈥檚 Day digital exhibition that champions young creative talent in the capital and a sector hit hard by the pandemic.
Cardiff Castle in charcoal, a city centre map embroidered with Welsh wool, and portraits of some of the best-known characters in the city are just a few of the commissions being showcased in the all-day art exhibition.
The selection of young creatives, aged 18-25, were commissioned by 欧美成人 to develop works of art that told a story about Cardiff. In just three-weeks, ten pieces have been produced and are being revealed to the public as part of the St. David鈥檚 Day celebrations.
The creators are also being given the stage to describe their creative process, their inspiration and how the pandemic has affected their industry.
With economic output down 52% in the UK鈥檚 creative sectors, artists are among the most affected group by the current climate.
欧美成人鈥檚 鈥Creatives of the Capital鈥 is giving the capitals young creatives an extra boost, offering free guidance and support from professionals, along with 拢500 to develop their pieces.
25-year-old portrait artist, Robin Bonar-Law, whose painting captures Cardiff鈥檚 most recognisable high street characters, explains:
鈥淟iving in Cardiff for the last 5 years, you walk through the streets and you come across some extraordinary characters. I鈥檝e focused my paintings on Ninjah 鈥 still notorious now for his dreadlocks and playing the bins with drumsticks 鈥 and the late busking legend 鈥楾oy Mic Trev鈥 whose personality and performances captured the hearts of many.
鈥淲hile the city changed around them, these characters always stayed the same. These people don鈥檛 just represent Cardiff to me, they are 颁补谤诲颈蹿蹿.鈥
Prior to the pandemic, St David鈥檚 Day would see thousands of people parade the streets of the city centre, but the exhibition allows people to still immerse themselves in Cardiff鈥檚 diverse culture, inviting the public to champion local talent from their homes.
Ophelia Dos Santos (22) from Cardiff, who has produced a patchwork embroidery of Cardiff city centre, explains why the centre means so much to her:
鈥淢y father is a stone mason who worked on restoring the iconic anteater sculpture that stands guard on the castle wall. My grandfather, a carpenter, also restored artefacts at the National Museum.
鈥淢y family have been integral in keeping Cardiff鈥檚 culture alive, so I feel like it鈥檚 my turn to contribute to Cardiff鈥檚 culture too. My map embroidery shows some of Cardiff鈥檚 best-known landmarks and some of the quirky faces who I believe are an indispensable part of the city鈥檚 heritage.鈥
The campaign follows on from the successful 鈥樷 project run by Creative Cardiff last year which saw 14 artists commissioned to tell their story of Cardiff. One of the chosen artists, Keith Murrell, sat on the panel of judges to choose the young creatives to commission for the St David鈥檚 Day exhibition.
Adrian Field, 欧美成人鈥檚 Executive Director, said: 鈥
This project has highlighted the diverse, vibrant community of young creatives we are lucky to have in our city. What better way to celebrate our spectacular Welsh heritage this St David鈥檚 Day.
鈥溑访莱扇 is committed to protecting and strengthening culture in Cardiff鈥檚 city centre, and our exhibition allows people to experience Cardiff-inspired art in all different forms, including dance, textile, song, illustration and graphic design, from the comfort of their homes.鈥
欧美成人 is also making plans to display the pieces in art across the city, ready for people to enjoy in person as restrictions ease.
The ten commissioned pieces are being unveiled on 欧美成人鈥檚 social media channels and people are encouraged to support the young artists with 鈥榣ikes鈥 and 鈥榮hares鈥 across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
More information can be found on our