G A E A F
THE WELSH HOUSE
13 November - 31 December
Over the past year we have been working with Dorian Bowen of The Welsh House to bring you a very special Winter exhibition. With our homes becoming increasingly important for our wellbeing, this year’s exhibition looks towards that idea of ‘home’ and what it has come to mean to us all over the past year. What are our most treasured comforts and who are the crafters behind some of our favourite possessions?
‘I’ve always thought that our homes are so important for our wellbeing and after spending fare more time at home it now feels even more important to surround ourselves with beautiful things.’ Dorian Bowen
We’ve had such a wonderful time collaborating with Dorian on this exhibition and we hope that you’ll enjoy and make yourselves at home in our makeshift Tŷ!
The Welsh House // Flowers by Leigh Chappell, Twisted Sisters Floral Design and Pheasant Botanica // Photography by Heather Birnie
On display will be a selection of willow pattern inspired plates by artist Claudia Rankin. Specially commissioned for THE WELSH HOUSE exhibition, we wanted to pay homage to ‘The Welsh House’ and of course the Welsh dresser which is a staple of so many traditional houses. Currently living in Northumberland but brought up in London, Claudia spent many an afternoon exploring the textile and ceramic collections of the V&A, which has led to her enduring love of colour, pattern and historical narrative.
Wreath by Layla Robinson // Photography by Heather Birnie
North Wales based maker, David White of The Whittlings will be joining us with some of his expertly crafted woodwork. Working closely with our curator Dorian Bowen, David has created five perfect cawl spoons and spoon rack based on the traditional Welsh designs which are on display in St Fangans, National Museum of History.
Ceramics by Every Story; handmade by sisters Abby & Hannah in their Vale of Belvoir studio, nestled in rural Nottinghamshire. Each piece is individually handcrafted into organic forms taking inspiration from nature and are designed to be beautiful as well as functional for simple everyday moments. We will also be showing the wonderfully quirky textile medals of Leek, Staffordshire based maker, Heather Hancock.
With us again this year with her beautiful and timeless wreaths is flower grower and artist Layla Robinson. Based on the outskirts of Hay-on-Wye, Layla uses seasonal sprigs, berries, flowers and seed heads that she gathers from the hills around Hay-on-Wye as well as from her own garden. Layla has spent many years honing her skills to create these painstakingly intricate wreaths which can each take up to a day to create.
Spoon by Sarah Jerath // Nest Basket by Rosie Farey // Photography by Heather Birnie
Lilly Hedley is an illustrator and printmaker from rural North Wales. Her work is inspired by British rural heritage, nature & wildlife, folklore and artisan food. Living in the countryside allows her to create prints from her observations of rural life, whether that be a swan drifting over the River Dee, a wildflower meadow dipped in dew, a delicious platter of farm house cheese or a farmer working with tool in hand.
Joining us with her stunning contemporary Welsh blankets is Cardiff based weaver, Llio James. As a hand weaver Llio is able to adapt the work as it grows, using her hands and eyes to build a contemporary cloth. Llio hand weaves bespoke cloth for interiors; blankets and wall hangings that have a deep feeling of provenance.
Hampshire based pattern designer and illustrator Megan Ivy Griffiths is exhibiting her exquisitely embroidered folk figures. Alongside we are delighted to be joined by Rosie Farey. Rosie is a basket maker based is North Wales and has created for us 6 miniature ‘nest’ baskets using materials harvested and gathered by Rosie from her own garden in rural North Wales, the Hireathog Hills and the streams of the Somerset Levels.
Ceramic artist Sarah Jerath has created for us a bespoke tea and tableware collection specially commissioned by Oriel Myrddin Gallery for our The Welsh House exhibition. The work is made using white stoneware and infused with raw materials collected by Sarah on her travels to Wales; peat ash glaze – peat gathered from beach combing, and river stones which have been sifted and rounded off by the elements on their journey from Snowdonia to the sea mouth at Aberdyfi.
Based in nearby Brechfa, Justine Burgess of West Wales Willow joins us with her intricately woven baskets. Justine learned to weave at the National Botanic Garden of Wales and studied the work and techniques of past weavers at St Fagans National Museum of History. Justine is inspired by the preservation of something that has always been done in rural communities and the possibilities for reducing the use of plastic.
Many thanks to Dorian Bowen and Christian Brown for the design and construction of our house!