Wales Arts Review Weekly Update (11/06/2023)
A new poem by Hanan Issa and Casi Wyn celebrates the unveiling of a Cranogwen statue, and we take a look at the shortlisted books in the Children and Young People's category for WBOTY 2023.
Poem by Hanan Issa and Casi Wyn Celebrates Cranogwen Unveiling
As a new statue of Cranogwen is unveiled in Llangranog this weekend, Wales Arts Review is delighted to publish a poem by Hanan Issa, Bardd Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Poet of Wales and Casi Wyn, Bardd Plant Cymru, to mark the occasion.
This weekend sees the unveiling of the latest in the series of statues commissioned by the Monumental Welsh Women group. The statue, which honours the pioneering poet, campaigner, journalist and mariner, Sarah Jane Rees – better known by her bardic name of Cranogwen – is being unveiled in Llangrannog, Ceredigion on Saturday, June 10th 2023, following a campaign by Cerflun Cymunedol Cranogwen Community Monument, a subgroup of the Llangrannog Welfare Committee, in partnership with Monumental Welsh Women. To celebrate the unveiling, we are delighted to publish a new poem, marking the occasion, by Hanan Issa and Casi Wyn.
Top Picks
Wales Book of the Year 2023: Children and Young People
Wales Arts Review is delighted to be sponsoring and hosting the Wales Book of the Year People’s Choice Award once again – where you, the public, get to have your say and vote for your favourite. To help you decide, we’re taking a closer look at the titles in each of the four categories. First up, books for Children and Young People.
Read the full piece and vote for your favourite, here.
The Sleeping Stones by Beatrice Wallbank: Review
Ffion Beynon takes a look at a debut novel which packs a punch as she delves into the world of pseudo-Arthurian legend in Beatrice Wallbank’s young adult novel, The Sleeping Stones.
Read the full piece, here.
Steeltown Murders and Perry Mason: True Detectives
Literature Wales name Alex Wharton as the new Children’s Laureate for Wales 2023-25 at a special event at the Hay Festival last Friday.
Read the full story, here.
Video of the Week
‘Aberfan: Purgatorio’ | Video of the Week
This is Video of the Week from Wales Arts Review. We’ll be showcasing some of the best art in Wales with a new video shared every week. From music to drama and everything in between, videos will not be limited by medium. This week we’re doing something a little bit different and shining a spotlight on ‘Aberfan: Purgatorio’, a new lecture by Professor Brad Evans.
In case you missed it…
Trusting the Imagination: The Journey of Andrew Ogun
In the latest of collaborations between Wales Arts Review and The Western Mail, Andrew Ogun charts his journey from humble beginnings to a life of explosive creativity in his work as fashion designer, available to paid subscribers from tomorrow.
One of the earliest memories I have of engaging with anything artistically is staring at the ‘19-2000’ music video by Gorillaz on MTV on one of those ancient big boxy TVs, my mouth agape. I couldn’t quite grasp how two of my favourite things in the world – music and cartoons -- could combine with each other like that. I was completely mesmerised. I couldn’t have been any older than seven or eight at the time, and I always note this moment as having a profound effect on me. In a way, the interdisciplinary approach that Gorillaz took to their music is one that I have also taken in my own artistry, as well as an appreciation and a reverence for innovation. More importantly, though, I think this moment also taught me to trust my imagination.