2023

The Phoenix

Small World Theatre is creating a giant art sculpture of a phoenix in the Senedd and you're invited to take part. Join us in the Senedd throughout the summer holidays to make your very own feather to be added to this unique sculpture. If you're joining Butetown Carnival, you can make a second feather to take with you on the parade Dates: 29 July - 7 September 2023. Workshop: 27 August 2023.

Butetown Carnival Archive

This summer the Senedd is proud to host an exhibition celebrating Butetown Carnival. Keith Murrell, Creative Director of Butetown Arts & Culture Association, has curated a selection of images from the Butetown Carnival Archive. These images give a snapshot of the joy of carnival over the years. Dates: 2 August - 4 September 2023.

War and Peace: Welsh Schools Remember War and Conflict

This exhibition features responses from six schools in south Wales to the tricky question of how to commemorate war and conflict. Working with historian Dr Gethin Matthews from Swansea University and artist Siôn Tomos Owen, the schoolchildren have created six new memorials in response to local war memorials in their area. Sponsored by Rhys ab Owen MS. Dates: 28 June – 25 July 2023.

The Conference of the Birds: The Voice of the Curlew

Throughout 2022-2023, Year 6 pupils in Ysgol Bryn Coch have been working with artist Sean Harris to make an animation about the curlew. This bird has a red UK conservation status, meaning it is at the highest risk of population decline. Sponsored by Llyr Gruffydd MS, Mark Isherwood MS and Carolyn Thomas MS. Dates: 1 July - 20 July 2023.

Y Bwthyn

The Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit offers a warm, caring environment to people with incurable illnesses and their loved ones. Displayed to coincide with Dying Matters Week (8 to 14 May 2023), this exhibition explores how the artwork was created to foster a calming environment. Sponsored by Mick Antoniw MS. Dates: 25 April - 18 July 2023.

Performance in Wales

This exhibition highlights a selection of work by Nichola and Sarah Hope, linking to the world of performance and theatre in Wales. Sponsored by Jane Hutt MS. Dates: 29 April - 21 June 2023.

2022

Celebration of Welsh Contemporary Painting 2022

Celebration of Welsh Contemporary Painting (COWCP) aims to demonstrate the vibrancy and talent of painting in Wales. Through a series of exhibitions across twelve venues in South, Mid and West Wales, COWCP represents some of Wales’s most significant painters as well as those who are up and coming. Sponsored by Dawn Bowden MS. Dates: 15 December 2022 – 9 February 2023.

Through Our Eyes

Through Our Eyes shares the stories of people with learning disabilities in Wales through photographs and videos. Our exhibition challenges perceptions and stereotypes by highlighting the valued roles and activities of people with learning disabilities in our communities. Sponsored by Jane Hutt MS. Dates: 16 November 2022 – 4 February 2023.

City Stories: Photographs of Cardiff 1969-1977

Pete Davis’ photographs of Cardiff were taken at a time when the steelworks was closing and the area was being redeveloped. Over fifty years later, they offer new audiences the opportunity to reflect on a time and place that changed both visually and culturally. Sponsored by Elin Jones MS. Dates: 1 October – 8 December.

Us Here Now

Us Here Now is a celebration of people in East Cardiff; their stories and their power. At the end of Summer 2020, artist Jon Pountney and Common Wealth worked with people who live, work or are from St Mellons, Llanrumney and Trowbridge to capture a snapshot of life in the sunshine. Sponsored by Vaughan Gething MS. Dates: 13 July – 24 September.

Affairs of the Art: The Art of Joanna Quinn

Affairs of the Art celebrates the artwork of Joanna Quinn from Beryl Productions, a Welsh animation company based in Cardiff. Their film, Affairs of the Art, was nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the 2022 Oscars. This exhibition is the first major showcase of Joanna’s artwork in Wales. Dates: 22 July - 6 September.

CHERISH

CHERISH brings together a team of archaeologists, geographers and marine scientists studying the effects of climate change on coastal and maritime heritage across Wales and Ireland. The CHERISH exhibition details the work of the project and the impact of climate change on our cultural heritage. Sponsored by Julie James MS. Dates: 28 May – 14 July.

Growing Flowers Down the Docks

Working with textile artist Haf Weighton, two schools from the Vale of Glamorgan have created artworks that respond to discoveries made by a Cardiff-based botanist 100 years ago. Featuring flower prints, ship sculptures and beautiful hanging fabrics. Sponsored by Vaughan Gething MS. Dates: 23 May – 7 July.

SONG OF THE TREES Rainforest Symphony

SONG OF THE TREES Rainforest Symphony is a unique collaboration between the Rainforests of Wales and Environmental Sound Artist, Cheryl Beer. The composition is led by the vascular systems of ancient trees, ferns and moss, collated by repurposing hearing aid and biomedical sound technology. Dates: 21 June – 2 July.

This is Older

Sponsored by Mick Antoniw MS. From a punk-rocker to a mountain-sheep-farmer, and wild swimmers to allotment keepers, Age Cymru are delighted to present a thought-provoking exhibition which aims to break down negative stereotypes of older people. Created in collaboration with acclaimed photographer Jon Pountney and The National Library of Wales. Location: Senedd Oriel. Dates: 23 April – 25 May 2022

Honouring Jim Griffiths

This miner’s son from a small West Wales village became one of the most influential politicians in Post War Britain and the first ever Secretary of State for Wales. To honour Jim’s life a statue of him will be presented in the Senedd. A joint project by the Senedd, Welsh Government, Carmarthenshire County Council and the National Library of Wales. Dates: 9 – 19 May.

Gwawr / Dawn

Gwawr / Dawn is a digital artwork created by artist Zillah Bowes for the Official Opening of the Sixth Senedd in 2021. It features photographs of people from all over Wales, along with landscapes, taken outside before and after sunrise. 24 February – 19 April

Gwir Gofnod o Gyfnod – Setting the Record Straight

Marking International Women’s Day 2022, Gwir Gofnod o Gyfnod - Setting the Record Straight celebrates the work of women Members of the Senedd, past and present. From 2019-2021 Women’s Archive Wales and the Senedd collected stories from women Members, recording the legacy of their work in both devolution and equality. 7 March – 22 March

2021

2020

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