Designed to explore the role of the artist in contemporary society, this year-long project built up a ‘snapshot’ of Swansea from the individual perspectives and responses of each participant. It broadened our connections to the city and the communities within and around the Workshop. We also took a fresh look at approaches and opportunities for selling prints.
In recent years Swansea has been undergoing a tremendous change in both the physical and social landscape. This presented a perfect focus for exploring the role of the artist in contemporary society whether it is as a documenter, commentator or visionary. Over a 12-month period, the project tracked and recorded a ‘snapshot’ of the city through the medium of printmaking. The ambition was to push the boundaries of image connected to place by recording individual perspectives and responses to a shared context.
Offering trips to Swansea Museum and the Museum stores, together with artist’s talks and a range of workshops from beginner level to Masterclasses, we sought to reach the widest range of participants: community groups, schools, professional artists and beginners, across generations, visitors and residents alike.
Ten schools embraced the Changing Swansea theme through an Artist in Residence package. School groups made drawings out on field trips to locations close to their school; others travelled further afield around the city and to the coast.
A partnership approach between the University of Wales’ Department of Continuing Adult Education, Swansea Drugs Project and Swansea Print Workshop offered a group of seven adults the opportunity to participate in the project. With goals in common with the rest of the Workshop this supported their integration into our artistic community.
Taking a fresh look at sales and the value of prints, we used a common format throughout the project which allowed us to develop a cohesive body of work for sale. The schools were encouraged and supported to take an entrepreneurial attitude themselves and several of the schools were able to off-set some of their costs through print sales. This is an approach we continue to advise on today.
By the end of the year, we had delivered over 42 workshop sessions, worked with 50 individuals and 10 schools, held 2 social evenings, 7 printmaker forums, 4 lectures and illustrated talks and delivered 142 outreach workshops sessions. An exhibition of over 120 prints was shown in 2009 in the Arts Wing at the Grand Theatre, Swansea. In all 300 people participated in ‘Changing Swansea’.
View our accompanying catalogue here (copywrite SPW)
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: David Barron | Georgina Baumgartner | Leila Bebb | Sheila Clark | Rose Davies | James Donavon | Alan Figg | Jackie Ford | Sarah Hopkins | Rosemary Ind | Lesley Lillywhite | Hilary Stanworth | Viv Mullett | Jenny Mynett | Ruth Parmiter | Carys Roberts | Alison Porter | Kara Seaman | Judith Stroud | Adele Vye | Claire Zeevi
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS: Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive | Clydach Infants | Hendrefoilan Primary | Morriston Primary | Olchfa Comprehensive | Pentrepoeth Infants | Pentrepoeth Junior | Pontarddulais Comprehensive | Pontybrenin Primary
Abertawe’n trawsnewid | 2008-2009 | Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru
Cynlluniwyd y prosiect hwn i archwilio rôl yr arlunydd yn y gymdeithas fodern a thynnwyd ‘ciplun’ o Abertawe o bersbectif ac ymateb unigol y cyfranogwyr. Ehangwyd ein cysylltiadau â’r ddinas a’r cymunedau tu fewn ac o amgylch y Gweithdy. Yn ogystal â hyn, edrychon ni o’r newydd ar ddulliau o weithredu ac hefyd ar gyfleoedd am werthu printiau.
This project took place in 2008-2009 and was made possible through funding from the Arts Council of Wales.
A selection of prints from the exhibition:
