Russell George MS has sponsored an event in the Senedd which displayed a Montgomeryshire based artists work
To coincide with Owain Glyndŵr Day, Llanfyllin based artist Dan Llywelyn Hall created a series of portraits depicting key figures such as Owain Glyndŵr, as well as figures from Owain’s court. The artist used the limited referenced available to visualize each character. The historical Welsh figures were displayed in the Senedd and an event, sponsored by Russell George MS was held.
Mr George opened the event and exhibition and talked about the importance of Welsh history, and the importance of bringing local artistic work to the Senedd. Dan Llywelyn Hall then discussed the project ‘Llys Glyndŵr and the court of Owain before the event heard poems by Robert Minhinnick, Menna Elfyn and Laura Wainwright.
Before attendees went to explore the artwork, Aberystwyth University historian, Rhun Emlyn, talked about the history of Owain Glyndŵr and his court through a presentation.
Dan Llywelyn Hall explained at the event that his project ‘Llys Glyndŵr’ will be developed into a book with historical responses throughout.
The event took place this week, which followed Owain Glyndŵr day on Monday 16th September.
Commenting after the event, Mr George said:
‘‘It was great to be able to sponsor an event on behalf of local constituent Dan Llywellyn Hall. Dan is a talented artist, and his portraits of historical Welsh figures are incredible.
The event was well received and the mixture of art, poems and a history presentation were well received by the audience.
Last year, I was pleased to take part in the unveiling of Dan Llywelyn Hall’s painting and depiction of Owain Glyndŵr. It was particularly special to unveil the painting at Sycharth, Llansilin, which was the home of Owain Glyndŵr which he later shared with his wife Margaret Hanmer and their eleven children. This year was just as special, being able to bring a Montgomeryshire based artists work into the Senedd was a privilege.
It's important that we protect our heritage sites and ensure accessibility to these historical sites so the people of Wales can learn more about our Welsh history, in particular access to Sycarth.’’
Mr Llywelyn Hall added:
‘‘It was a fitting tribute to hold Llys Glyndŵr - an exhibition of the court of Owain Glyndŵr at Y Senedd - the very parliament that the last Prince of Wales envisaged. The faces of the court have emerged to me like visions after finding scraps of information on the role and lives, lost to the centuries.’’
‘’The poetic readings by Robert Minhinnick, Menna Elfyn and Laura Wainwright brought personality to an otherwise murky history with such scant information on the figures of the uprising. Rhun Emlyn - a distinguished historian of Aberystwyth University provided some of his most recent research on some of the pivotal figures that has only NOW been unearthed.’’
‘’The project Llŷs Glyndŵr will now be developed in a book with historical, poetic and pictorial responses.’’
‘’The campaign to provide a heritage centre and better public access to Sycarth will continue to be sought by Russell George MS.’’
