Following the success of the initial phase of the Artists in Residence project, the team at Penrhyn Castle received over seventy applications from across the globe to be part in the second phase of this three year collaboration with the Welsh Arts Council - from which three artists have been chosen.
Lisa Heledd Jones, Robyn Woolston and Joanne Wardrop will begin in December and will work within the Castle and in the community on a part-time basis until the end of April 2016.
Exploring history and relationships through art
Their brief is to tell some of the previously untold histories of the site and re-visit other known stories through their art. They will delve into Penrhyn’s past, the difficult history of sugar and slate fortunes, slavery and social and industrial unrest that surrounds the Castle; and reframe them for a 21st century audience.
Nerys Jones, General Manager at Penrhyn Castle explains the role art can play in presenting these stories, and in the experience of visiting a historic site:
“Art has a way of making us tackle difficult conversations; question our surroundings, of expressing emotion and telling stories in different ways.
“Emotional engagement should be the pinnacle of every visitor’s experience with us, not a few facts here and there or mild appreciation for furniture displayed behind ropes. We want to transform the visit to such a level that Penrhyn reaches the point of provoking real emotional reaction; whether through the controversial story or the absurdity of the building itself.”
“The result should be enlightening, refreshing and may even offer some surprises.”
Why choose this project?
Lisa Heledd Jones, whose previous work has examined personal narratives using digital media and storytelling, explains what drew her to this exciting project:
