PUBLIC COMMISSIONS
In March 2021 a call went out from the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust. Could artists submit ideas for a covid Memorial. The ‘Big heart of Merthyr’ should be at the centre of the concept. A number of ideas were submitted. After a nail-biting wait an email came though…ARRTDUO had been chosen to create the COVID 19 Memorial!
The Memorial remembers all those lost to Merthyr Tydfil families during the COVID 19 pandemic.
This big gold and yellow heart, too big for the book it is lying on, with its open heart, a gold drop falling from it, stands to represent all those in our
community who are lost to us during the COVID -19 Pandemic.
As we re-build our community, we will not forget those who are no longer with us or the families who are bravely re-building their lives.
ARRTDUO completed 25 glass masks. They were part of the Global Village event. Subsequently the masks were installed in significant venues in Merthyr Tydfil: The New Crown, High Street Baptist Church Hall, The Travel Shop, Tydfil Training, Portugalis, Woodfired and Redhouse and the Library in Merthyr Tydfil.
ARRTDUO was commissioned by St Woolos Cathedral Newport to make ‘An Outline of Peace’ to commemorate the end of WWI. A series of workshops, 2 installations by ARRTDUO toured South Wales. The project’s legacy is that the 4m high reverse silhouette of a WWI soldier can be seen again in 2019 in St Woolos Cathedral on 11th of 11th 2019 and each succeeding year. The glass panels made by those who came to the workshops have been returned to the participants.
The glass panels made by those who came to the workshops have been returned to the participants.
FROM SUPPORTERS HAND was commissioned by Merthyr Tydfil Football Club. The Club has been completely transformed and they wanted a sculpture and poem to mark the occasion.
ARRT was commissioned by Merthyr Town FC to create a sculpture to enhance the new Club house’s atrium: a sculpture that tells the story of Merthyr Town’s interesting and varied history. We have hope we have done justice to that story and that all who see the sculpture and read the poetry will understand the relationship between football and the community; how it’s presence enriches the community and the way that the community supports football.
The Sculpture is made from is sweet chestnut grown in Merthyr Tydfil and carved into a swirling arc describing the journey of the club though many changes towards stability. Within the eye of the arc nestles a ceramic football, burnished with 24ct gold and silver leaf.
The Ceramic Football is symbolic in a number of ways:
- The shape symbolizes football’s sphere of influence throughout the world.
- Gold and silver signify the club as an association of value.
- The hexagonal piercings are emblematic of the club reaching out into the community.
The Hexagons fly out into the community on a golden wave of light illustrated by the glass nestled within the sculpture. The multi-coloured glass hexagons, beginning with the colours of the club (black & white) refract into rainbow colours representing the club reaching out into every section of the community. The ceramic hexagons can be found throughout the building; extending and integrating the sculpture; informing and surrounding the people who share in it.
From Supporter’s Hand
Where Roman’s feet trembled earth
cracking clay in gold traced tesserae
there grew a green of trampled ground
Succouring the game that joined the world
to flower in the valley’s heart.
Success that lifted voice in song
at the antics played in Webley’s Wake
The roar of raising arms, holding trophies high.
Then the fall!
Penydarren Park was lost.
Still they played the game.
Loyal souls with iron grit
held the banner of the Martyrs high
and cried in struggled pitch
until that golden orb
was returned; reformed
to its home in Merthyr Town.
The green now ground on polypropylene
replaced the grass in tradition bound
as the club held tight in supporter’s hand
is carried forth to community’s heart.
Reaching out to all around
a clubhouse raised in monolith;
a place to drink, to meet, to play,
to learn, to celebrate and sing.
Watch and hear the quaking roar
wrought by hands linked in teared joy.
Joined; the people and the football win.
Rob T 9th April 2016
PRIVATE COMMISSIONS
