ARWAIN is an exhibition of new collected works by Ian Mackenzie, Eleri Haf Davies, and Caitlin Flood-Molyneux
The exhibition celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of new work from artists who live and practice here in Wales. An eclectic mix of iconography, abstract expressionism, realism, collage, and narrative painting. Arwain is a journey into a vivid landscape of visual storytelling by 3 of our resident artists.
Our first all Wales exhibition, Arwain signals the beginning of Blackwaters evolution into a gallery dedicated to the celebration of Welsh and Wales based artists. From painting to sculpture, installation to film, Blackwater is proud to showcase the broad spectrum of original artwork being produced by contemporary artists living in Wales today.
FEATURED ARTISTS
CAITLIN FLOOD MOLYNEUX
Caitlin Flood-Molyneux is a contemporary Welsh Artist based in South Wales.
Their artistic practice investigates the relationship between pop culture imagery and the way in which we attach emotion and memory to images and use this to narrate their subjective experiences of hardship. Developing from the visual styles of DADA and early Pop Art, the combination of found imagery alongside abstract painterly forms allows them to develop their own visual language. Their use of historical imagery is important, as it embodies the memories which the artist seeks to portray. Their work is both deeply personal and universal, as it charts key moments of their life; a private and enigmatic visual story with which Flood-Molyneux invites the viewer to forge their own connection.
Following a standout solo exhibition in London, we are excited to make available a compelling collection of new original pieces by Caitlin.
ELERI HAF DAVIES
New breakthrough artist to Blackwater, Eleri has this to say about her work and practice -
'I am a Welsh Figurative Artist specialising in Oil Painting. I began exhibiting my artwork fifteen years ago in local art galleries across South Wales and eventually found my feet in figurative oil painting.
Growing up in the Brecon Beacons, I was raised in the Welsh language by parents who instilled a fierce love of our heritage. Bedtime stories consisted of the tales of the Mabinogion and Owain Glyndŵr instead of Cinderella! Wales is renowned as the land of poets, musicians and artists and goes to the heart of our culture. I inherited my fascination for human anatomy from my mother, a physiotherapist. I can remember playing with her model skeleton as a child and would come home from walking the dogs with my pockets full of bones, feathers and the occasional pheasant. After studying Spanish and Law at Swansea University and living in Colombia for a year it was on to Cardiff to pursue a career in human rights law. My early work was heavily influenced by the beautiful characters that I’ve come across on my travels and work. From the street art of Medellín, Colombia to the incredible faces of the locals in Old Havana, Cuba.'
The exhibition will feature Davies' latest capsule collection of works titled 'Last Order' comprising of a mix of original canvases and charcoal sketches.
IAN MACKENZIE
Ian Mackenzie is an artist based in South Wales. He works in rich detailed oils on canvas. He has a unique eye for colour and precision and as such many of his paintings represent a photorealism style.
Working as a Police Officer in South Wales and in particular Cardiff Bay has given Ian a real insight into the stories of tough hard-working people, who grew up through hardship and difficult times.
Today, Ian tells of these stories through his artwork of a prosperous period of Welsh history, starting in the 1890’s when Cardiff Bay was seen as the most successful dockland in the world, exporting coal from the South Wales valleys to countries afar. The Third Marquis of Bute who owned the docks, become the richest man in the world, and the first million-pound cheque was written in Cardiff Bay.
However, with such fortune came a darker side to life. Gritty determined hardworking miners died young, sailors left and never came back, and the unscrupulous preyed on the poor. Times were difficult, work was hard, but life was certainly vibrant and never stood still.
Mackenzie's work is a favourite of collectors at Blackwater and across Wales, with commissions and original paintings requested to showcase at a host of historical and commemorative events across the country. We are delighted to have a selection of new canvases by Mackenzie available to purchase as part of ARWAIN.