News

Llanrwst was Green!

Llanrwst was green! Llanrwst artists in residence Mari Elain Gwent and Megan Broadmeadow laid turf across the Town Square.

This unique artistic installation included a one-off performance as the turf was being laid, and marked the start of a series of events across the town and Gwydyr Forest in the past months.

Megan and Mari are working on project entitled ‘Llwybr y Ceirw’ (Path of the Deer) and have been commissioned by the community group Cymru Lloegr a Llanrwst to produce contemporary artworks that celebrate Llanrwst’s diverse and rich history.

The idea to turf the square developed as the two artists were fascinated by the fact that in the 1400’s, in the midst of Owain Glyndwr’s rebellion the townsfolk had abandoned the burning town for the safety of the forest. The town was deserted for so long that grass grew on the square and the deer from the forest came to graze on it!

Megan explains ‘we really wanted to show the links between the town and the forest, and to explore historical events during this project. I always love the idea of combining opposites so it felt right to bring natural materials into the town, and to cover the square in grass.’

‘We are also looking forward to making work that reflects past characters such as Dafydd ap Seincyn, who was a real life Robin Hood who lived in a cave above Llanrwst.’ adds Mari. ‘But we also want to make work that is about the residents of today as they are just as interesting. It is important to us that the work has meaning to people and reflects the local culture’

Cymdeithas Cymru Lloegr a Llanrwst has also asked the artists to create a sculpture trail to start in the town and lead into the forest. Megan and Mari have been busy thinking up a wide variety of sculptural work, and the trail will start being installed in October. Elliw Griffiths, on behalf of Cymdeithas Cymru, Lloegr a Llanrwst say’s ‘This is an exciting new project and will hopefully bring some elements of the heritage and history of the area to the foreground.’

Llwybr y Ceirw is supported by; Safle, Arts Council of Wales, Menter Iaith Conwy, Menter Nant Conwy, Conwy County Council and Forestry Commission Wales.

(posted 03/12/2008)

List of Items - News

• Events in Llanrwst : Details of some of the upcoming events in and around Llanrwst. - 05/08/2010
• Llanrwst was Green! : Llanrwst artists in residence Mari Elain Gwent and Megan Broadmeadow laid turf across the Town Square. - 03/12/2008
• Prince Charles Visits Llanrwst : Prince Charles recently visited Llanrwst. - 05/05/2008
• Victorian Sensory Garden Opens : A Victorian Sensory Garden has recently opened at the Almshouses. - 22/09/2007

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