Three Maps of Wales by the celebrated sculptor and blacksmith Angharad Pearce Jones have been placed in their new home in the Senedd, to be admired and used by visitors at the home of the Welsh Parliament.
The sculptures by decorated Welsh artist are on permanent display in the Senedd and allow visitors to connect and learn about the Senedd and the Members who represent them.
All pieces were created using steel from Port Talbot’s TATA plant at the sculptor’s workshop near Brynamman, in keeping with her commitment to using Welsh materials and craftsmanship for her work.
Two of the maps encourage people to discover the Senedd’s constituencies and regional boundaries, and the Members who represent them. The third map is a striking work of art which celebrates Wales’ landscape, as mountains, hills and valleys form waves on the surface.
Artist Comments
“Technically, the largest map was a challenge because of all the layers of sheet steel needed to build up the mountains and landscape. Each sheet is individually cut, and care is needed to find each piece and place them together to gradually build up the mountain peaks and form the valleys.”
The sculpture weighs a quarter of a tonne and measures two meters width by a little over two meters in height. It is set on wheels so it can be displayed in other parts of the Senedd, and people are encouraged to touch the steel, to feel the mountain ranges and follow the route of the valleys and the dramatic coastline.
“I feel that I’ve got to know and appreciate Wales anew, every inch of the country. I hope people will feel the same and appreciate the beauty of the land, the waves of the mountain ranges and the shape of the country in a way that isn’t possible on a map or sat nav.”