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Pontypridd transforms with art

Posted By: Admin | Date posted: 31 August 2007

Vacant shops in Pontypridd have been transformed into art galleries in the All Over the Shop festival this week.

A unique blend of installation, film, painting and interactive digital media is being shown in shops, taken over by the artists, in the Taff Vale Precinct until Saturday, September 1 and in the Circle Gallery at the Muni Arts Centre until September 29 (paintings only).

CF37 Artists Network - a thriving community of artists - has recently been established in Pontypridd, and many of their new artworks are included in the exhibitions, which celebrate the diversity and high quality of work currently produced by local talent. Those participating include promising new graduates, emerging artists exhibiting internationally and critically acclaimed mid-career artists.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Digital Media Co-ordinator, Ann Hayes, said: "There is something for everyone in this stimulating and highly accessible festival, including figurative and abstract painting, sculpture, installation, and digital media.

"Themes explored include the absurd nature of domestic routines, human creativity verses Artificial Intelligence and (not forgetting) shopping!

The festival also features an interactive film installation by Inga Burrows, senior lecturer in Media at the University of Glamorgan and an innovative interactive screen-based game called SodaRace.

This project is part of the Arts and Town Centre Regeneration Programme for Rhondda Cynon Taf - a partnership programme between the Council's Development and Regeneration and Cultural Services departments and the Arts Council of Wales.

It was initiated by the artists' network and is supported by the University of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Cultural Services Digital Media Programme and the Arts and Town Centres Regeneration Programme

Cllr Graham Thomas, Rhondda Cynon Taf Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: "The creative industries are a recognised growth sector in Rhondda Cynon Taf and we are delighted to be supporting local artists in presenting this exciting exhibition.

"We hope many people will drop in to see the works on show when they are in Pontypridd."