In 2011 we celebrate the centenary of Polish artist Josef Herman, whose work was inspired by the mining community of Ystradgynlais where he lived between 1944 and 1955.
It was here that Herman found an admiration for miners, seeing them as a walking monument to labour, which is why he spent many years sketching and painting in the area. Herman produced a large body of work including atmospheric oil paintings, one of which called “Miners Singing” is currently on display at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.
LOCWS International has commissioned Swedish artist Helen Edling to respond to “Miners Singing” as well as other sketches by Josef Herman. “Helen has created a series of magical new artworks, all of which sympathetically respond to the work of Josef Herman. Placed around the National Waterfront Museum they have created a treasure-hunt atmosphere; with one installation involving canaries escaping from miner’s cages giving the entire space a theatrical feel.” said Project Coordinator Erin Rickard.
These new artworks by Helen Edling are part of a citywide event called ‘Art Across The City’ and will be on display until the 30th October. Other artworks include large banners in the bus station, hoardings along the High Street, a tree carving at Cwmdonkin Park and a photographic billboard at Swansea Castle. For more information you can talk to our LOCWS live guides who are based at the National Waterfront Museum, or you can pick up a leaflet from Swansea Civic Centre exhibition space currently showing a Locws Schools exhibitions by pupils from Ysgol Crug Glas and Sea View Primary School, Ysgol Felindre, Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn, and Ysgol Pen-y-Fro.
For further information visit www.artacrossthecity.com. For a free guided tour of the artworks please call 01792 468979.
