As part of Craft Festival’s Town Trail, in association with Craft Festival Wales, we presented six exciting early career artists, selected to respond to artworks from the national contemporary art gallery for Wales. With support from Welsh Government funding, we aim to make these values collections more accessible and engaging for all.
Lewis Prosser
Fire Bowl
Albion Aberteifi
PROSSER, Lewis, Fire bowl ©Lewis Prosser / Oriel Mostyn, Photography by Heather Birnie
PROSSER, Lewis, Fire bowl © Lewis Prosser / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
PROSSER, Lewis, Fire bowl © Lewis Prosser / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
Lewis Prosser is an absurdist basket-maker based in Penarth, south Wales. He uses basket-making, performance, and costume design to celebrate ideas of ritual, heritage, and labour in and around the British Isles. His work unites people through shared wonder and craftsmanship, with entertainment and sincerity at its heart.
Ella Bua-In
Hikers on the Moelwynion; Cottage, Nowhere
Stiwdio 3
BUA-IN, Ella, Hikers on the Moelwynion; Cottage, Nowhere ©Ella Bua-In / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
BUA-IN, Ella, Hikers on the Moelwynion; Cottage, Nowhere ©Ella Bua-In / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
BUA-IN, Ella, Hikers on the Moelwynion ©Ella Bua-In / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
Ella is a self-taught potter living in Cardigan, west Wales. Her background in fine art painting lends a strong storytelling element to her work. She draws inspiration from Greek mythology, historical artifacts, Japanese woodblocks, and the Welsh landscape.
Hannah Walters
Mab
Awen Teifi
WALTERS, Hannah, Mab © Hannah Walters / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
WALTERS, Hannah, Mab © Hannah Walters / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
WALTERS, Hannah, Mab © Hannah Walters / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
Hannah is a ceramic artist based in Cardiff. Heavily inspired by her time working at her family’s antique centre in Pembrokeshire, she creates sculptural and functional items. Using clay and porcelain, her work explores value and conflict, and her aim is to make contemporary antiques that link past and present.
Rosie Lake
Pentaptych IV
CRWST
LAKE, Rosie, Pentaptych IV © Rosie Lake / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
LAKE, Rosie, Pentaptych IV © Rosie Lake / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
LAKE, Rosie, Pentaptych IV © Rosie Lake / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
Rosie is a textile artist living near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire. Her graphic compositions explore the juxtaposition of shape, texture, and line, revealing their endless possibilities. She skilfully combines these elements to create visually striking and serene pieces.
Rosa Harradine
Cadair Idris handbroom; Tryfan broom
Albion Aberteifi; Cardigan Bay Brownies
HARRADINE, Rosa, Tryfan broom © Rosa Harradine / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
HARRADINE, Rosa, Cadair Idris handbroom and Tryfan broom © Rosa Harradine / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
HARRADINE, Rosa, Tryfan broom © Rosa Harradine / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
Rosa is a brush and broom maker living in Carmarthen, west Wales. Working with natural, sustainable materials is essential to her practice, inspiring her to make pieces that are beautiful as well as useful.
Ffion Evans
Hydref
MWLDAN
EVANS, Ffion, Hydref © Ffion Evans / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Heather Birnie
EVANS, Ffion, Hydref © Ffion Evans / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Ffion Evans
EVANS, Ffion, Hydref © Ffion Evans / Oriel Myrddin, Photography by Ffion Evans
Ffion is a Welsh textile artist from Conwy. She creates sensory, tactile constructions inspired by everyday objects and our relationships with them. Her work explores play and touch to bring moments of joy and curiosity through interaction.
Craft Festival and Oriel Myrddin Town Trail
As our journey with Gŵyl Crefft Cymru // Craft Festival Wales comes to a close, we reflect on the inspiring collaboration between Oriel Myrddin, CELF the national contemporary art gallery for Wales and six outstanding makers. This project not only highlighted the immense talent within Wales but also underscored the value of connecting contemporary craftsmanship with national art collections. We are incredibly proud to have played a part in expanding the reach and impact of Welsh art and seeing the how these works have resonated with the public. We look forward to seeing where these unique works find their new homes across the country.
