Wakelin Awards Glynn Vivian Gallery

Wakelin Awards Glynn Vivian Gallery

by | Apr 6, 2024 | Swansea Today, SwanTV Art & Crafts, SwanTV Top Stories

Article by Sucheta Chaurasia 6th April 2024

Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, the public art gallery in Swansea city, is celebrating 25 years of the Wakelin Award. This year to commemorate the award, the gallery will showcase an exhibition of the works of the past award winners. Established in 1988, the Wakelin Award was founded in memory of Richard and Rosemary Wakelin, two Swansea-based artists. The award is given to a Welsh artist working in Wales. The artworks of the artists are purchased and displayed in the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery’s Permanent Collection.

Dr Peter Wakelin, the son of the two artists, said: “When we set up the Award after my mother died in 1998, we thought it would be something our parents would have enjoyed because of their love of the Glynn Vivian,  and it would last for a few years. We never guessed that the scheme would continue to be so worthwhile for a quarter of a century. It’s fantastic to look back at all the artists. The Award has supported in that time and the wealth of works that have been added to the Glynn Vivian collection to be enjoyed by the people of Swansea.”

The painting ‘Looking at Cold Winter’ (2001) by David Tress (b.1955) won the Wakelin Award in 2001

 

Artwork ‘Mair at Cylch Meithrin’ (2020), comprising acrylic, wool and synthetic hair on hessian, made by Anya Paintsil (b. 1993) won the Wakelin Award in 2020

Louise Burston, Chair of the Friends of the Glynn Vivian, the independent charity that supports the art gallery, remarked: “The Friends are very pleased to be involved with such a prestigious award. It is heartening

 

‘Six Jugs’ (2012) by Philip Eglin (b. 1959)

 

 

 

to be able to support Welsh artists and contribute towards the gallery’s contemporary collection of art, it’s always fascinating to see whose work the nominated selector will choose. Over the years the award has gone to a splendidly  diverse selection of artists from different disciplines and at different stages in their  careers.”

Karen MacKinnon, Curator, of Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, is glad that the Wakelin Award has won the Wakelin Award in 2017helped the gallery to acquire some great works for its permanent collection. He adds: “This unique partnership between the Wakelin family and the Friends of the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is very special in the support it offers the  gallery, artists in Wales and the works it enables us to share with audiences and  communities.”

Artwork ‘Mair at Cylch Meithrin’ (2020), comprising acrylic, wool and synthetic hair on hessian, made by Anya Paintsil (b. 1993) won the Wakelin Award in 2020

Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is part of Swansea Council and is supported by a grant from the Arts Council of Wales. The Award is supported and administered by the Friends of the Glynn Vivian and generous donations from its well-wishers.

For more information about the exhibition, interested individuals can contact Laura Gill at 01792 516900 or email glynn.vivian.gallery@swansea.gov.uk. More information about the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and its various events is available on their website at www.glynnvivian.co.uk glynn.vivian.gallery@swansea.gov.uk

Address: Glynn Vivian Art Gallery Alexandra Road, Swansea, SA1 5DZ

Richard and Rosemary Wakelin

Richard Wakelin (1921–1987) and Rosemary Culley (1919–1998) were pioneers of the Swansea art scene from the late 1950s. Originally from Cardiff, they both met while attending the Welsh School of Architecture in 1939. After that, they enlisted in the armed forces to serve in the war. They got married in 1947. Richard worked as an architect in private practice and later with the City Council which included taking care of the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery). Although they both created abstract paintings, they valued all kinds of craftsmanship and art. The Swansea Art Society, the Association of Artists and Designers in Wales, the 74 Guild of Artist Craftsmen, the Welsh Group, and the Friends of the Glynn Vivian were among the institutions they worked with to promote the visual arts.

They were partners in the Maritime Quarter’s Swansea Arts Workshop, which is now the Mission Gallery. They desired to increase Swansea residents’ appreciation of the arts and to support and uplift gifted artists and craftspeople. Andrew Wakelin, Sally (together with her daughter Kate), and Peter Wakelin are their three living children. The couple’s eldest son Martin passed away in 2012, leaving behind his wife Christine Townley and daughter Megan, who are still interested in the prize.

Friends of Glynn Vivian

The Friends of Glynn Vivian association was founded in 1958 and has grown significantly since then. It is a self-governing nonprofit that is totally governed by its members, who also contribute to the acquisition of new pieces that broaden the Gallery’s collection and fund its programming. This vibrant organisation hosts lectures, behind-the-scenes tours, and social gatherings among its events. The Friends are always excited to have new members join them. To learn more about joining, go to www.friendsoftheglynnvivian.com.

 

Celebrating Swansea Editor’s Thoughts

by | Apr 1, 2024 | Swansea Today

When I first arrived in Swansea over 20 years ago Dylan Thomas’s words were often repeated to me “The graveyard of ambition”, which was very depressing to say the least. The parallel attitude was one of competition between Swansea and Cardiff, not just during sporting events such as rugby and the universities sports day but in most aspects of city life.

Now attitudes have dramatically changed and Swansea folk see the contrasts. Cardiff the industrial sprawling city; Swansea a small waterfront city with a beach within 5 minutes walk of the heart and beautiful countryside a short distance away. In fact there are more than 50 parks within the City 7 and County including several that are registered Grade 1 Historical parks, all open to the public and with interesting features.

Singleton Park which has a wonderful botanical garden where a comprehensive range of over 200 different plants and shrubs are grown. This is also the gardening hub growing plants to be displayed throughout Swansea including hundreds of hanging baskets that you can enjoy on almost every street corner. These are also available for the public to buy but you need to order early and already this year’s stock have been pre-sold. Take a walk around the gardens whether you are a gardener or not, be surprised. Singleton Park has a lake with swan shaped paddle boats to enjoy and a very popular lakeside café. The park is huge and you might think you are out in the country with no city sounds. The Swiss House is an unexpected site with an interesting history. The park is a great place to take the family or just to stroll through and enjoy the tranquillity. Then there are the music concerts and annual car show.

Other parks include Clyne which has a world beating rhododendron collection that bloom during Spring and bring visitors from around the globe.  Clyne Park is brimming with plants brought back from around the world during the late nineteenth century and which are now mature species. During the summer Sunday afternoons draw a crowd to experience the different bands who perform at the top of the park where a marque and light refreshments are available. Sitting in a deck chair on a sunny Sunday afternoon is reminiscent of bygones days and my memories of the fifties.

Brynmill Park has an extensive lake and an abundance of wildfowl. So this is just a small selection of larger parks, not forgetting Cwmdonkin Park in the Uplands area and the original fountain featured in Dylan Thomas’s poem Hunchback in the Park. In fact this park was were Thomas spent his youth, being brought up in an adjacent house (which is open to visits by appointment and has been taken back to a 1940s/50’s setting as it was in Dylan’s youth). Buy his book The Artist as a Young Dog and as you walk through the park his sort stories will leap off the page and come alive as you stand in the very spots that he wrote about.

But the wonderful green nature reserves and historical parks are just one aspect of Swansea that you can enjoy as a family or solo, each large enough for brisk exercise or leisurely stroll, each having a café or nearby family friendly pub to finish.

Swansea abounds with art galleries, theatres, museums and other attractions apart from the beaches, wonderful indoor market and numerous great coffee shops and restaurants.  The leisurely pace of Swansea  will slow you down to relax and enjoy life. Oh! And Swansea is compact so you can come by coach or train and still enjoy everything without driving or parking restrictions. I do think this contrasts with the hustle and bustle of Cardiff and a final thought. I recall talking to a woman on the beach at Mumbles who said “I’ve come from Cardiff for the day. I love it here, the peace, friendliness and feeling safe”  Beat that!

Mike Leahy Managing Director  Swan TV

 

Spotlight on Disability with Lee Ellery Episode 12

by | Dec 7, 2023 | disability

Filmed in the Waterfront museum, overlooking the Marina, Lee Ellery interviews Michelle Evans of Your Scene, who provide activities for disabled people working mainly in Port Talbot. There is an art exhibition in the Hybrid Cafe in Port Talbot running from this Saturday, 18th November, from 4pm.