Art of Peace

Over 2014-19, through the HLF funded Wales for Peace programme, WCIA has supported a diverse array of creative arts projects engaging communities, schools and youth groups Wales-wide in exploring and responding to themes of Wales’ Peace Heritage. Many of these initiatives were transformational in developing skills, perspectives and confidence of participants, but also – through exhibition displays, public events and online / public profile – created a profound impression on audiences, reaching many tens of thousands of people.

Arts-based approaches are perhaps one of the most powerful tools for getting to issues at the  ‘Heart of Peace’ – and so WCIA hope to continue building on this track record of working with artists and community groups to continue fostering the ‘Art of Peace’.

Cardiff Nov 2014 & Caerphilly May 2015: Graphic artist Laura Sorvala captured Peace Heritage views from young people at the project launch and the Urdd Eisteddfod onto two enormous canvases. These were reprinted on to 2 linen hangings that became a centrepiece to the Wales for Peace touring exhibitions in Holyhead, Swansea and Cardiff, and are now displayed outside the Council Chamber of the Temple of Peace.

Peace Mural - Graphic Recording

Meirionydd 2014 onwards Wales for Peace partners the Urdd, Cymdeithas y Cymod and WCIA have worked together each year from 2014-19 to support young people in crafting the Peace & Goodwill Message through facilitating creative workshops and dicsussions on the themes of peace. Perhaps the most striking was the 2014 Peace Message, ‘Tybed’ (Wonder), which focused on the centenary of WW1 by ‘wondering’ whether the world had learned - or was willing to learn - from remembrance.

Poetry of Peace: the 2014 Peace & Goodwill Message

For the Temple’s 80th Anniversary in November 2018, WCIA trialled our first ever ‘Artists in Residence’ programme with the aim of drawing alternative, youthful and creative contributions to the Temple80 exhibition, visitor experience and events programme. WCIA welcome opportunities to collaborate with and support Welsh artists seeking to explore issues of war, peace and internationalism.

Temple80 'Artists in Residence' Programme

For the launch of WCIA's 'Wales for Peace' touring exhibition in Holyhead in June 2018, WCIA worked with Ysgol David Hughes in Menai Bridge to create an exhibition of artistic responses from the recent 'Young Peacemakers Awards' - from which students produced a booklet sharing the inspiration behind their creative works.

'Heart of Peace' Children's Art Exhibition, Holyhead

In the months leading up to the Caernarfon Poppies installation, WfP and partners organised art competitions among Gwynedd schools from which the ‘top entries’ were curated for inclusion in an art exhibition at Oriel Pendeitch, opposite the main entrance to Caernarfon Castle, and also the starting point for the Peace Trail we developed with the local community.

Caernarfon Peace Trail Exhibition, Autumn 2016

Mosaic Workshops, Cardiff, August 2015 Mosaic artist Maureen O’Kane facilitated a 2 day workshop with 14 UNA Exchange youth volunteers to create 2 small mosaics, now displayed on the entrance archway to the National Garden of Peace.

Peace Garden Mosaic Workshops with International Volunteers, 2015

Wrexham, November 2015 Sculptor Maria Hayes facilitated workshops at the Wrexham Schools Conference where 20 students produced sculptures of slate and coal, emblazoned with peace messages. These were displayed in the Wales for Peace final exhibitions in Holyhead and the Temple of Peace.

Slate Sculptures - Reflections on Peace

We worked with Welsh artist Marc Rees and 1418NOW to support development of 'Now the Hero', one of the Centenary Arts events marking the end of WW1 in Swansea – inspired by the opportunity to reinterpret the Brangwyn Panels in the Swabsea Guildhall. WCIA involved schools and Urdd youth participants in contributing towards a film integrated into the performance; staged 2 exhibitions – Wales for Peace in Swansea Museum, and Women War & Peace in the Civic Centre Library.

'Now the Hero' Collaboration with Marc Rees, 1418NOW and Swansea Community

WfP supported an initiative (as part of the 14-18NOW ‘Now the Hero’ arts programme) to involve Swansea artists in producing installations responding to themes of war and peace, that were displayed as part of our ‘Wales for Peace’ exhibition at Swansea Museum through Sept-Oct 2018. Altogether, over 20 different installations were contributed which now remain in the Swansea Museum collections.

Swansea Artists Responses to War & Peace

Working with Dr Emma West of the British Academy / Birmingham University with the 'Being Human' Festival, a powerful gala evening was assembled to mark #Temple80 bringing in contributions of a wide range of artists, community groups and film makers

Temple80 'Being Human' Festival

In partnership with Welsh community arts cooperative Gentle/Radical and the Arts Council of Wales, the centrepiece of WCIA's #Temple80 Anniversary Gala was a community-based performance and reinterpretation of the Temple’s 1938 Opening Ceremony, drawing on materials from the Temple archivesto curate a powerful and emotional critical reflection. Attended by a 'full house' of 250 people, it included artistic elements of drama, film, choir and song, poetry, eulogy and a musical score by Welsh composer Helen Chadwick.

'A New Mecca' - Temple80 Production, Gentle Radical

This 8 minute musical tribute was composed by Iffy Iwobi in collboration with Jon Berry, for Race Council Cymru / WCIA's WW100 BME Remembrance Service in Nov 2018.

'Assemble' - a Musical Tribute to the BME Fallen, by Iffy Iwobi