A new permanent memorial dedicated to everyone in Swansea affected by the Covid-19 pandemic is set to be created on the promenade in the coming months.
The reflective public artwork, designed by Welsh glass artist Catrin Jones and sculptor, Angharad Pearce Jones, will offer a quiet space for remembrance and contemplation, overlooking Swansea Bay.
The work will be fabricated by the artists themselves at Angharad’s metal workshop in the Amman Valley.
The design was developed in response to extensive community engagement involving groups affected by the pandemic and will sparkle in the sunlight. It combines sculpted steel forms and coloured glass to symbolise separation, resilience, remembrance and hope.
Set between two trees on a grassed area already used for reflection, the memorial will include gentle seating, wildflower planting and 3 glass circles, inspired by the colours of the peacock butterfly — a symbol of endurance and transformation.
Located near the Slip Bridge, new paths will be installed to make the memorial accessible to all. Work on creating the piece is expected to start in April and will cost around £130,000.
Elliott King, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, said: “The impact of Covid continues to be felt every day. Too many families lost loved ones, and many key workers, volunteers, neighbours and friends carried us through the most difficult times.
“The council made a promise that Swansea would honour every person who was affected, and this memorial will provide a permanent place to remember them. It will be a quiet space for reflection, shaped by the voices and experiences of our communities.”
Artists Catrin Jones and Angharad Pearce Jones said the project has been deeply informed by the city’s collective memories.
Catrin Jones said: “This memorial brings together light, colour and nature to create a calm and thoughtful space by the sea. We wanted to offer something gentle, symbolic and enduring, a place that holds people’s stories with care.”
Angharad Pearce Jones said: “During our engagement work, people spoke about grief, resilience and the small acts of kindness that helped them through Covid. The design reflects those emotions, the distances we had to keep, the connections we tried to maintain, and the hope that carried us forward.
“Visitors will be able to sit and reflect, looking out to sea or inland towards the landscapes and continuing bustle of the city.”
The memorial will form part of the wider tradition of remembrance along Swansea’s seafront and will be a place for all who wish to pause, remember and reflect.
