Exhibition: LAYERS by Rhiannon Gwyn

LAYERS by Rhiannon Gwyn. 

Here with her first solo exhibition, Rhiannon Gwyn showcases her latest collection of work, 'Layers'. 

Rhiannon has developed an innovative technique of melting and shaping Welsh slate, and the exhibition’s title, Layers, refers to the visible layers of various colours, textures and materials she finds in her home landscape of Eryri - as well as the non-visible, subconscious layers of history, cultural heritage, memories and language that has, and continues to strongly influence her creative practice.

To capture these layers Rhiannon, of Sling - a slate quarrying village near Bethesda, north Wales - explores the full potential of the earth’s raw pigments by making natural paints and glazes which she uses in her work and then subjecting the slate to metamorphosism. 

The melted slate is displayed with handmade ceramic bowls, all painted with a glaze made from natural materials such as the gorse flowers as she explains:

“By working with local materials, most of which are a by-product of processes used by local industries and organizations, such as Welsh Slate discarded by the local quarry, gorse ash from Eryri National Park’s gorse clearance on Moel Faban and clay found on nearby riverbanks, I can explore how materials can act as identity markers;  influencing the way in which we view ourselves and the world around us through the imprinting of emotion onto our surroundings.”

Her artwork and crafting of materials have been recognized by Amgueddfa Cymru,  which has recently acquired one of her works -  ‘Y Nefoedd yn Toddi i’r Tir’  - after it was exhibited last year in the 'Rules of Art' exhibition and at the National Eisteddfod of Wales ‘Y Lle Celf’ exhibition.

Other achievements include winning the 2023 Emerging Maker award at the International Ceramics Festival in Aberystwyth, being selected for the British Ceramics Biennial 'Talent Development Programme' and receiving funding by 'Wales Arts International' to go on a research trip to the U.S.

The exhibition at the National Slate Museum is Rhiannon’s first solo exhibition and showcases work produced as part of a research and development project funded by the Arts Council of Wales’ ‘Create’ fund. It has also been supported by Ruthin Craft Centre, the Carneddau Landscape Partnership and the National Trust.   

The film part of this exhibition has been funded by Eryri National Park.