REPORTS AND PICS FROM URDD EISTEDDFOD:
● The winner of the Art, Design and Technology Scholarship at the Urdd National Eisteddfod will use the cash to fund an animation course and update her computer software.
Ffion Pritchard, 24, from Bangor, was awarded the £2,000 prize for the most promising piece of work by an individual between 18-25 years old.
A-level student Seren Wyn Jenkins, who lives near Aberystwyth, is this year’s winner of the Art Medal.
Since graduating with a first-class degree in illustration from Brighton University in 2017, Ffion now works as a freelance artist and designer.
Her work varies, using a number of different media, including paint, photography, collage, video and animation.
Ffion said: “When curating my work for the exhibition, I noticed my work was anchored using colour and imagination, and an experimental and playful nature. Instead of a unit of finished work, I submitted a collection I have been producing since finishing my degree. It includes commercial and personal work, that extends into the community.”
Ffion said she is inspired by the world around her.
“I’ve also been lucky enough to work with clients who set me challenging and creative projects, often leading my work in unexpected directions,” she said.
The scholarship was judged by Gwenno E Jones who said of Ffion’s work: “The quality of work amongst competitors this year was unbelievable with such varied techniques and themes.
“It’s amazing how creative and sympathetic our young artists can engage with sensitive subjects through the visual arts. The art landscape of Wales is truly safe with these talented young artists.”
When discussing how the scholarship would help her in the future, Ffion said: “When travelling in France in the summer, I attended the ‘Video Mapping’ festival in Arras and fell in love with the ability of this technology to tell an impressive story that responds to the environment.
“The scholarship will enable me to learn this skill and invest in software to support it.”
As part of her A Level studies at Ysgol Penweddig, Aberystwyth, Seren is studying the work of Bethan Gray a modern objects designer, and was inspired to design a coffee table with a Welsh flavour. She was further inspired by Josie Russell and Edrica Huws’ textiles. After studying ADT at college, she intends to create her own business in a studio in the garden.