Cân yr Oerwynt (“Sound of the Cold Wind”) is a project which takes its title from the poem “Preseli” by Eirwyn George, a poet who lives in Maenclochog and who has twice won the chair at the National Eisteddfod. It is a collaborative project with Sarah Harman, a singer/songwriter from Talgarth.
The work concerns the human shaping of the landscape of North Pembrokeshire where I live. The area is rich in historical remains from the Stone Age to the present day and I am interested in developing ways of exploring in my practice the ways in which man has lived in, worked and shaped the landscape, and in developing site-specific works for temporary installation in the landscape. Working in glass and ceramic offers me the possibility of developing my work in new dimensions and for new contexts. I am interested in using these media to embody and evoke ideas and feelings in visually appropriate and interesting ways.
With support from the Arts Council of Wales, Sarah and I have undertaken initial research in the National Library of Wales and local records office, and interviewed local people and people with specialist knowledge of the history of the area and industrial archaeology. The research and development phase of this project culminated in an afternoon tea event hosted by The Old Post Office Cafe where we provided tea and Welsh cakes to over 40 local people who came to see the exhibition and hear the suite of songs written and performed by Sarah and her group of singers from South Wales.
