LUX at Oriel Myrddin Gallery

JAMESPLUMB - Dog Lights 

Our winter exhibition at Oriel Myrddin Gallery, LUX presents work from London based sculptors and designers, JAMESPLUMB (Hannah Plumb and James Russell). Light is a central theme in their work which takes forgotten and overlooked objects, transforming them into beautiful and functional new pieces.

JAMESPLUMB - Concrete Stiches series

Other artists and makers in the show reflect on the domestic, the beautiful and the well crafted. Some use up-cycled and reclaimed materials in their work, bringing discarded pieces back into the spotlight in a new form. Other artists' work celebrates the simple and the functional in daily life.

I'm really pleased with the show, and the work we have on show, here's some installation shots from the gallery.

LUX - Oriel Myrddin Gallery

Anna Lewis - Colin the Magpie with pearls and book

JAMESPLUMB - Cluster Chandelier

Hetty Rose - shoes made from vintage kimono fabric
Gwyn Williams - Love Spoons (Screen print)

LUX - Oriel Myrddin Gallery

Justine Allison - ceramics

Laura Plant - ceramic knives

The show includes:

Justine Allison, Donya Coward, Gareth Hugh Davies, Ivor Davies, Virginia Graham, Eloise Grey, Ainsley Hillard, Buddug Wyn Humphreys, Caitlin Jenkins, Carol Kingsbury Gwizdak, Anna Lewis, Laura Plant, Jo Pond, Hetty Rose, Holly Ross, Serena Rowe, Gwyn Williams, Daniel Wright and Mizuyo Yamashita.

More images of LUX here.

LUX at Oriel Myrddin Gallery

Laura Plant - Found Blade with Ceramic Handle

I've been flat out this week hanging the next show at Oriel Myrddin, LUX with the team of gallery staff. It's all taking shape now and I'm so pleased with the beautiful work we have selected and invited. Today we received a delivery from newly graduated ceramic student, Laura Plant who incorporates reclaimed domestic knife blades with new ceramic handles to make extraordinary hybrids. Laura states that her father is a butcher and her friend has a fear of being stabbed - she is interested in the paradox of the knife as a weapon and as a functional tool.

LUX at Oriel Myrddin Gallery

Donya Coward - Textile Taxidermy (Greyhound) - seen here

I'm very excited that the work for our winter show, LUX at Oriel Myrddin Gallery is starting to arrive! I have been the curator for this show, so it's wonderful to begin seeing the works in the flesh. A box arrived this morning from Donya Coward, her Textile Taxidermy dogs heads are beautiful, humorous  and exquisitely crafted. Sculpted in the style of hunting trophies, they are made with crochet and knitting along with antique and reclaimed fabrics, beads, buttons and oddments. There is a Scottie Dog, a Greyhound, a French Bull Terrier, a British Bulldog and a Pug. We have a few dog lovers amongst the gallery staff (including me!) so they are proving very popular.

We will hang the show next week ready for the opening on Saturday 6 November at 6pm. We also have a one-night-only evening of artists' films, Light Loop showing for the evening; films are from Gareth H Davies, Emma Pearce, Julie Ann Sheridan, Simon Whitehead and Jacob Whittaker.

Ifor Davies

Ifor Davies - Ty Casglwr/House of an Accumulator - seen here

I went to visit artist Ifor Davies in his Penarth studio last week, I'm very excited that he has agreed to contribute three works to Oriel Myrddin Gallery's winter show, Lux. I have always liked Davies still life paintings and that is what we have chosen for the show. The images here are not those that will be shown but they capture very beautifully the atmospheric interiors, subtly imbued with symbolism. 

Ifor Davies has been a pivotal influence in Wales for many years from his early performance work in the Destruction of Art movement of 1960's, to the recent mosaic design installed by Tessa Hunkin in Westminster Cathedral. 

Ifor Davies - Ceithiant - seen here

Anna Lewis

Anna Lewis' studio - seen here

Anna Lewis - Myth series - seen here

I went to visit jeweller Anna Lewis in her Swansea studio yesterday. Anna is one of the makers showing with Oriel Myrddin Gallery in our winter show, LUX. We had a look at some of her new work, lovely one-off pieces using found and salvaged objects and jewellery. We've chosen a collection of work that will compliment the pieces we'll be showing from London designers James Plumb - and serendipitously, it turned out that they had already worked with Anna on a photographic shoot recently! Anna has been involved with styling and production projects recently along with collaborator, fashion photographer Elliot Davies - together they are called Seven Everything. 

Anna Lewis/Elliot Davies - Pica Pica - seen here

Anna Lewis/Elliot Davies - The Hunted - seen here

Anna Lewis/Elliot Davies - Fragmentation - seen here

Serena Rowe

Serena Rowe - Monet's Table - Oil on Board

Another update on LUX, the winter show at Oriel Myrddin Gallery. I'm so pleased that painter, Serena Rowe will be showing with us. I really like her still life works of beautifully simple domestic objects.

Serena Rowe - Bowl with Carving Knife - Oils on Board

Serena Rowe - Pile of Cutlery - Oils on board

LUX

James Plumb - Cluster Chandelier - seen here

I've been entrusted at the gallery with a bit of curation...exciting and a bit scary! I'm putting together some artists and makers for our winter show. I'm absolutely delighted to say that James Plumb (Hannah Plumb and James Russell) will be the main focus of the show which will be called LUX. We will be showing their Cluster Chandelier along with some furniture similar to the Concrete Stitches range. I can't wait to visit their studio when we are next in London and see some of the work that might be available!

Jo Pond - Brooch with Brush - seen here

I'm also really pleased that jeweller, Jo Pond will be showing with us. I've liked her work for a while now and it's a real pleasure to have her work included in the show.

Hetty Rose - Mami - seen here

Another designer/maker I've admired for ages since I saw her work in a gallery in Surrey is shoe maker Hetty Rose - she uses vintage Japanese kimono fabric to create her exquisite handmade shoes. We'll have a small collection of as part of the show.

Artists, makers and designers in the exhibition reflect on the domestic, the beautiful and the well crafted. Some use up-cycled and reclaimed materials in their work, bringing discarded pieces back into the spotlight in a new form. Other work celebrates the simple and the functional in daily life. I'll write more about the other artists taking part soon...in the meantime - wish me luck!