The Arc – y Bwa – Sculpture in Wrexham
The Arc (y Bwa) Sculpture in Wrexham. Located at the junction of Lord Street and Egerton Street.The sculptor was was David Annand and the sculpture was unveiled in 1996.
Two figures on brick plinths, feet astride two steel arcs with the figures at full stretch, each trying to bend the Arc to meet at the top.
Figures depicted are a miner and a steel worker and the Arc represents the area’s industrial heritage. The attempt to bend the Arc to meet at the top symbolises the co-operation between the industries to achieve common goals. A poem in Welsh by Myrddin Ap Dafydd from Llanrwst depicting in verse the toil and collectiveness of manual work, is engraved on The Arc.
Incised on stainless steel plate fixed to brick base: Y BWA THE ARC / Dadorchuddiwyd y cerflun hwn “Y Bwa” gan David Annand, / gan ei Deilyngdod Maer Wrecsam Maelor, / Y Cynghorydd Michael Morris / ar yr 2nd o Chwefror 1996 / This sculpture “The Arc” by David Annand was unveiled by / The Worshipful the Mayor of Wrexham Maelor, / Councillor Michael Morris / on 2nd February 1996. / Uwch y waedd, drwy’r gawod chwys – a helynt / Y morthwylion stormus, / Heibio’r awr sy’n bwyta brys, / Mae tynfa yma at enfys. / Myrddin Ap Dafydd / Above the cry, through streaming sweat – and the storm / Of angry hammers, / Past the hour that devours haste, / We are drawn towards rainbows.
Details courtesy of Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project
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