An exhibition of sculpture and drawings by contemporary artist Dilys Jackson has been launched at the Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery.
The Aberdare venue is hosting “Inside and Out” until April 18th, and it features a selection of works by the Cardiff-based artist.
Dilys Jackson works at the Butetown Artists Studios and Berllanderi Sculpture Workshop. She has travelled and worked across the world, holding exhibitions in Ireland, Sweden, France Spain and the USA. She is an elected Associate of The Royal British Society of Sculptors, a member of The 56 Group Wales, The Welsh Group, Sculpture Cymru, The Women’s Arts Association and the Contemporary Art Society of Wales.
Her latest exhibition derives its inspiration from land and plant forms, with some pieces echoing the rounded slopes of the South Wales valleys.
An exciting new exhibition of lively and fun drawings by one of the foremost artists in Wales, has gone on show at the Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery.
Delineavit by Manchester-born David Alan Atkins who now resided in Miskin, includes a vast selection of cartoon-type works of art inspired by his fascination for the genre.
Duke Street in Aberdare is the scene of a shockingly beautiful piece of urban art. It is a large mural that forms a skirting around a building site being developed, behind Wilkinsons and nearby the Aberdare taxi rank.
It was completed in July 2008 and depicts a collection of bright, lovable looking characters like ‘Bryn the Builder’ (see photo).
Art work by B-boy Slammo of Elemental Force working with a local youth development team.
I am the dotted line,
And you fill me in with whatever you like.
I am just going through the motions.
I need an old fashioned potion.
There has gotta be some old recipe.
‘Cuz I gotta get drunk,
I gotta forget about somethings.
International artist Martyn Jones is “coming home” with the latest exhibition of his works now on show in Aberdare.
Originally from the Cynon Valley, Martyn Jones is a contemporary painter who works from his studio in Cardiff. He graduated M.A. Fine Art, at Chelsea School of Art, London and was awarded Junior Fellowship at Bath Academy of Art. Among his tutors were the British artists Adrian Heath and Patrick Heron.
Aeon, an exhibition of work by Martyn Jones, is on show at the Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery until November 8th. The Gallery is open 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Sunday. For further details, contact 01685 886729.
Britain, Britain, Britain land of sculptures, too many of which depict a fascination for war, war, war.
And then in 2005 the Alison Lapper Pregnant by Marc Quinn was unveiled in the heart of London.
She is situated in Trafalgar Square named after the 1805 naval battle during the Napoleonic wars.
For companions she has bronze statues of British generals and other members of the warrior aristocracy.
Along with Sir Edwin Landseer’s four couchant lions guarding Nelson’s Column.
Lapper is depicted naked and heavily pregnant.
The material used is Carraran marble, also famously used for Marble Arch, London.
The sculptor Marc Quinn writes eloquently about his work thus :
“At first glance it would seem that there are few if any public sculptures of people with disabilities. However, a closer look reveals that Trafalgar Square is one of the few public spaces where one exists: Nelson on top of his column has lost an arm. I think that Alison’s portrait reactivates this dormant aspect of Trafalgar Square. Most public sculpture, especially in the Trafalgar Square and Whitehall areas, is triumphant male statuary. Nelson’s Column is the epitome of a phallic male monument and I felt that the square needed some femininity, linking with Boudicca near the Houses of Parliament. Alison’s statue could represent a new model of female heroism.In the past, heroes such as Nelson conquered the outside world. Now it seems to me they conquer their own circumstances and the prejudices of others, and I believe that Alison’s portrait will symbolise this.
I’m not physically disabled myself but from working with disabled sitters I realised how hidden different bodies are in public life and media. Her pregnancy also makes this a monument to the possibilities of the future.”
What do we think of Alison Lapper pregnant ? We were amazed and thought she was very beautiful. A worthy contribution to Trafalgar Square.
The excitement at seeing the Alison Lapper pregnant for the first time brought back memories of visiting London itself for the first time. That was as a child around twenty five years ago. As a child we thought the four lions at Trafalgar Square were gigantic beasts and that Nelson’s column was so tall, the old general atop the column would have to duck to avoid any passing planes. The lions seem much tamer nowadays.
Quinn’s comments (above) from his website are insightful. There is something subversive about this sculpture and the depiction of a “new model of female heroism”. But then that is arguably a purpose of Art : to turn one’s thinking, to subvert.
In Britain we seem to have a phobia of breasts. It is an inspiration to see a pair of paps on public display in such a striking piece of work. There is nothing vulgar or prurient in this : in sculpture, breast is best ! Mario Rutelli’s Aberystwyth War Memorial (1922) is a good example of a dramatic Welsh sculpture using the breasts (and especially the thighs) to best effect.
Finally, the choice of material is in such stark contrast to the bronzes of the generals, lions and the other figures. How does Alison Lapper look like in the dark ? It would have been nice to see how the use of lighting affected this installation. Alas, we had a bus to catch…
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Notes : There is a collection of Alison Lapper Pregnant photographs on the Aberdare Blog Flickr website. The photos are not particularly good, as they were taken on a grey, wet and miserable September day. They may, however, provide an impression of this striking sculpture in the heart of London.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Chinese Proverb.
Give a man a salad and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to make a pretty face with a salad and you keep him amused for a lifetime. Aberdare Blog Proverb.
Make a Friend of the Snowy weather in Aberdare this week.
Duke Street in Aberdare is the scene of a shockingly beautiful piece of urban art. It is a large mural that forms a skirting around a building site being developed, behind Wilkinsons and nearby the Aberdare taxi rank.
Treat yourself to an Authentic Souvenir from Aberdare : 
This is a photo of the rear end of one of Aberdare’s most prominent buildings.
