Members of community groups inspired to create city centre public art

It has been installed on hoardings around the emerging Y Storfa building at the corner of Oxford Street and Princess Way.

The community participants came from groups such as Swansea Libraries and Swansea Asylum Seekers Support plus the council’s services for lifelong learning and for young adults with additional learning needs or learning disability.

They were assisted over a process of several months by professional South Wales-based artist Natalie Hemingway.

The activity, funded by Y Storfa contractors Kier, was managed by Swansea Council which is developing Y Storfa as a community services hub, including central library. It’s due to open this year.

On March 27, the participants gathered outside Y Storfa to celebrate their work being exhibited for city centre visitors to enjoy.

Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “I’m delighted that such a diverse range of individuals came together to produce this fantastic new public art.

“It helps to celebrate Swansea’s past and future – along with the city’s people.

“Their work is being enjoyed by tens of thousands of people who visit the city centre for work, shopping, education or to spend quality free time.”

Artist Natalie Hemingway said: “It was a pleasure to work with all the community artists on this project.

“They embraced the area’s history and learned new skills – and have produced a celebration of local culture at the heart of their city centre.”

Ian Rees, regional director at Kier Construction, said: “It’s great to see this fantastic artwork up on the hoardings surrounding Y Storfa.

“Thank you to the talented volunteer artists who have spent time and effort creating these wonderful pieces.

“It’s certainly attracting a lot of positive attention locally and really building on the excitement surrounding this project.”

The artwork is inspired by the heritage, humanity and diversity of Swansea city centre.

Source material included images and maps from the council-managed West Glamorgan Archive Service, one of the services due to move to Y Storfa in the months to come.

The participants were also inspired by their positive experiences of living in Swansea.

Their work on the eight vinyl panels – each measuring 2x3m – includes street scenes, calligraphy and self portraits.

It’s part of the Your Store, Your Story project, telling stories of the building – once a British Home Stores (BHS) – and the immediate area.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)