Oriel Davies Gallery has been collaborating with young people from North Powys, artist Erin Hughes, Open Newtown and Andrew Evans Landscapes to create an inspirational large-scale drawing in the centre of Newtown.
The drawing, named Landscape Lines, depicts a sun within a landscape and has been made using a pitch line marking machine. It can be found in the green space opposite the gallery (Gallery Green).
Its design is inspired by the work of Criw Celf, a nationwide programme for young people interested in art and the creative industries.
The aim of the drawing is to promote the positive benefits of spending time in nature, by encouraging people to meet and play amongst the drawing. Artist Erin has worked with the gallery to complete the design, incorporating the young people’s ideas and elements of her own practice.
Erin is currently showing work in an outdoor exhibition at Oriel Davies called Long Landscape Search Outside. The large-scale works depict landscape images sourced on Google over which Erin has collaged her hand marbled papers.
The original works are small scale and, like the Zoom function on online maps, have been ‘zoomed in’ to enlarge them significantly.
Her large scale works on the walls will interact perfectly with the land drawing and create an enticing spectacle to draw visitors into.
Young people form Criw Celf hope that Landscape Lines will encourage children and their families to play amongst the lines and patterns and that visitors and groups of friends will enjoy picnicking and meeting in these exciting spaces they have created.
Oriel Davies Gallery showcases contemporary art for everyone to enjoy and taking exciting art outside seems like a great way to share it with more people.
As well as work by Erin, the gallery is currently showing The House Of Cards by Chardin, a masterpiece on loan from the National Gallery together with contemporary work by Charlie Cook and a community art work inspired by Alyn Smith’s designs ‘Building a Future’. A sound piece by Hefin Jones is also tucked in the foliage outside the main building.
The land drawing is a temporary artwork – mowing the grass will remove it after about a month so people are urged to enjoy it whilst it’s there this August. The gallery will be running free outdoor workshops for children and young people each week in August too (more details coming soon online and, in the gallery).
“There’s going to be such a buzz in our outdoor spaces,” said Kate Morgan-Clare, Oriel Davies’ creative producer.
Landscape Lines is the first in a series of events to be held in the town as part of the Open Events Project, led by Open Newtown and Oriel Davies Galley, to be officially launched soon.
