Oriel yr Aelwyd:
The Hearth Gallery
This project formed part of the Gwanwyn Festival, Connections: An Exploration of Creativity, Nature and Identity, in partnership with Llandough University Hospital. Situated in the Hearth Gallery, the exhibition was based on the digital correspondence with one of the wards through a series of digital postcards used to gain an understanding of their interests and hobbies. These consisted of nature, wildlife and knitting.
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​For my piece, I drew on the nature aspect. To do this, I built up plaster layers on reclaimed wood, to create a surface that could be carved back into to provide a sensory aspect with the raised textures. As this piece was made whilst we were in lockdown, with precautions still being necessary, I wanted it to provide the viewer an escape to explore an environment from the comfort of their own space.
Art Activity:
As part of this, a corresponding activity sheet was gifted to the ward for them to respond to the artwork. This was to create their own plaster tile to illustrate a scenic view, whilst reflecting on the senses of what they would feel at this place
(This can be viewed in both English and Cymraeg)
Explanatory Text:
Beyond These Walls
Paint and Plaster on Reclaimed Wood
Lucy Debell, 2021
“Beyond these Walls” is an exploratory piece, with the aim to encourage viewers to step into nature and discover, either through the artwork or in real life. I was influenced by the wards interest in nature and flowers, which was the original inspiration to the piece. Throughout the piece there are small, dedicated details to the patients on the ward such as the daffodils.
Using palette knives to apply the plaster, I was able to replicate the rolling hills and changing landscape through building layers and adding texture, by carving into the material with lino tools. During the process of creation, it was important that I was sympathetic to the surface to enhance the natural exterior of the wood and keep some areas exposed. This was to show the connection between the artworks theme and the materials used.