Folklore and Fairy Tales

Published by Les on

“Folklore and Fairy Tales” is the theme of an exhibition which opened today at Oriel Tŷ Meirion Gallery in Dyffryn Ardudwy, near Harlech, and what a cracking exhibition greeted me when I called in  to the launch this afternoon. I spent the morning at our wood turning club in Mid Wales, left shortly after lunch and then drove towards Harlech.

I have four pieces of work on display….these are….

Cwpan Gwenllian/Gwenllian’s Chalice….from the tale of Gwenllian, the daughter of Llewelyn the Great. Gwenllian was banished from her home at Dolwyddelan Castle and sent to live in exile in a land where she would never again hear her native Welsh language. The chalice has been textured through fire to suggest its age, whilst the contrast of the white quartz cabochons reflects the purity of Gwenllian.

Tarian Owain/The Shield of Owain….representing the shield of Owain Glyndwr, battle damaged through his struggle against the oppressive forces of Henry IV of England in the Middle Ages.

Pair Branwen/The Cauldron of Branwen…representing the Irish cauldron destroyed by Branwen in the battle between the Welsh and the Irish, in which folklore tells us that the cauldron contained a potion which regenerated the bodies of the Irish warriors killed in battle, thus making Branwen’s struggle an impossible task; until Branwen took the upper hand and destroyed the cauldron.

Dreigiau ag Eryrod/Dragons and Eagles…depicting the two notorious creatures associated with Snowdon and Dinas Emrys, the mythicl dragon and (historically), the eagle.

There is a wealth of material to view at the exhibition, so it’s well worth a visit if you’re anywhere near the west coast, just south of Harlech.

 

Here’s a taste of what’s on display….


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