Press Releases
Shortlist Announced for Major Welsh Art Commission at the National Waterfront Museum
Date:
2025-10-27Amgueddfa Cymru is delighted to announce the shortlisted artists for its exciting new public art commission at the National Waterfront Museum, revealed today in celebration of International Artists Day.
Following an open call to Welsh artists earlier this year, the museum received 30 outstanding and diverse submissions – each one inspired by the sea and the rich stories of the Welsh coast.
After much deliberation, the jury selected two artists whose concepts stood out for their creativity, originality and resonance with the new vision of the museum to share and explore Wales’s stories and relationship with the sea:
- Jacqui Symons from Carmarthenshire, for her textile based installation entitled “Y Môr a Ni”
- Kate Verity and Andy O-Rourke from Newport, for their textured and light inspired piece entitled “Llanw a Thrai”.
The shortlisted artists will now be invited to the museum to further explore their concepts and look at how their work will transform the Weston Hall – the museum’s entrance space – into a striking and meaningful welcome for visitors.
The winning artist will be awarded the commission, with the final installation expected to be unveiled in February 2026.
The artwork will take pride of place at the heart of the museum, greeting visitors with a powerful expression of Wales’s enduring connection to the sea.
Dr Nicole Deufel, Head of the National Waterfront Museum said:
“The quality and imagination of the submissions were extraordinary. We were deeply moved by how each artist engaged with our vision, with the shortlisted submissions responding in an outstanding way to the space in our Entrance Hall and Wales’ connection to the sea.”
The commission forms part of the redevelopment of the National Waterfront Museum as well as Amgueddfa Cymru’s ongoing commitment to supporting Welsh contemporary art and celebrating voices of artists who interpret Wales’s past, present and future through bold new work.
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