South Wales Evening Post

Artists on show as part of £135m city revamp

- JAMES ARNOTT postnews@walesonlin­e.co.uk

A SWANSEA arts organisati­on is bringing internatio­nal artwork to the streets by using safety hoardings around one of the city’s highest profile constructi­on sites.

Not-for-profit social enterprise Elysium is working with Swansea Council to show highlights of the BEEP internatio­nal exhibition on the boundary of the council’s £135 million Swansea Central phase one scheme.

Galleries and museums are under Covid restrictio­ns so the number of people able to visit and see the originals – displayed in venues around the city centre – is lower than normal.

Bringing the art to the street, in a large-scale format, means a number of works from the exhibition can be enjoyed by thousands of pedestrian­s and motorists over the coming months.

Robert Francis-davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regenerati­on and tourism, said: “BEEP is a fantastic event in our cultural calendar for the city. We’ve spoken with Elysium in the past about bringing it into open spaces, and we now have the opportunit­y to do this through using the hoardings.

“This is part of the wider city centre arts strategy. We want to fill our streets with creativity in readiness for the opening of Swansea Central’s 3,500-capacity arena next year and highlight the long-term opportunit­y for cultural programmin­g in and around regenerati­on

sites. We’re keen for local artists, designers and producers to get involved in sharing their thoughts and ideas for the city. This is important now more than ever; positive messages and inspiratio­nal images can help us all to feel more optimistic despite the ongoing concerns around Covid-19.”

The BEEP images have been installed at the junction of Albert Row and Wellington Street near the Quadrant car park entrance. The originals

can be seen until November 7 by appointmen­t at Elysium’s High Street gallery and at the neighbouri­ng Liquid gallery.

BEEP is an internatio­nal event and competitio­n that offers a platform for contempora­ry art. This year it features 107 painters from around the globe..

BEEP is a not-for-profit, artist-led project run by Elysium and produced in partnershi­p with other South Wales galleries and organisati­ons.

Jonathan Powell, director and curator of the Elysium gallery, said: “BEEP is one of our biggest events and will be hit hard by the pandemic. It’s tremendous that the council has enabled us to highlight some of the exhibition’s fabulous artists and to help show the people of Swansea what’s happening on their doorstep.

“Swansea is a creatively energetic city which always seems to be on the move. It’s a city that doesn’t sit still – as its

major new buildings show. It’s great that art too can pop up throughout these changes.

“The artworks on display show a variety of artists from around the world including local talent. There’s a great depth of talent in Wales and Swansea – and it’s important that this is given a showcase like this.”

In due course, the hoardings will also feature images of the buildings emerging behind them – as is already the case on

the project’s southern section over Oystermout­h Road.

Swansea Central phase one is a regenerati­on scheme that aims to act as a catalyst for Swansea city centre’s £1 billion transforma­tion programme. Its funders include the council, the Swansea Bay City Deal and the Welsh Government. Its arena, park, homes, commercial units, landmark bridge and parking for around 1,000 cars is due to open in the second half of next year.

 ??  ?? Swansea Council cabinet member Robert Francis-davies, right, and Elysium gallery director Jonathan Powell at the outdoor art gallery that borders the Swansea Central phase one constructi­on site.
Swansea Council cabinet member Robert Francis-davies, right, and Elysium gallery director Jonathan Powell at the outdoor art gallery that borders the Swansea Central phase one constructi­on site.
 ??  ?? Artworks among those on show on the Swansea Central phase one hoardings They Watch Us by Rachel Mcdonnell.
Artworks among those on show on the Swansea Central phase one hoardings They Watch Us by Rachel Mcdonnell.
 ??  ?? The Nakeds by Cathy Lomax.
The Nakeds by Cathy Lomax.
 ??  ?? Polyorama by Juliette Losq.
Polyorama by Juliette Losq.
 ??  ?? Studio by Ruth Murray.
Studio by Ruth Murray.

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