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Notes
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Two figures on brick plinths, feet astride two steel arcs with the figures at full stretch, each trying to bend the arc to meet at the top. The sculpture was the first major local authority public art commission in the area for 70 years. It was sponsored by the Welsh Development Agency, the Iron & Steel Trades Confederation, the Arts Council of Wales and Wrexham Maelor Borough Council. The sculpture was intended to enhance the pedestrianised scheme in Lord Street and to reflect the town's industrial heritage. The scheme commenced in April 1992 when the council resolved to consider ideas for works of art in the borough. In consultation with local organisations, various sites were considered including access roads, parks and gardens, industrial estates and town centre sites.
Artworks Wales was invited to advise the council and to assist in drawing up a shortlist of suitable artists/sculptors. A judging panel, which included representatives of local arts organisations, was set up to consider the work of 38 artists and sculptors who had expressed interest in the scheme. A shortlist of four was drawn up and in February 1995, each was invited to undertake a presentation to the judging panel. At the conclusion of the presentations, David Annand was invited to undertake the work of art for Lord Street. Figures depicted are a miner and a steel worker and the arc represents the area's industrial heritage. The attempt to bend the arc to meet at the top symbolises the co-operation between the industries to achieve common goals. A poem in Welsh by Myrddin Ap Dafydd from Llanrwst depicting in verse the toil and collectiveness of manual work, is engraved on the arc.
Title
Y bwa (The Arc)
Date
1996
Medium
bronze, stainless steel & cylindrical bases covered with terracotta tiles
Measurements
H 274 x W 366 x D (?) cm
Accession number
LL11_AEB_S004
Acquisition method
commissioned by Wrexham Maelor Council
Work type
Sculpture
Owner
Wrexham County Borough Council
Custodian
Wrexham County Borough Council
Work status
extant
Unveiling date
2nd February 1996
Access
at all times
Inscription description
Y BWA THE ARC / Dadorchuddiwyd y cerflun hwn Y Bwa gan David Annand, / gan ei Deilyngdod Maer Wrecsam Maelor, / Y Cynghorydd Michael Morris / ar yr 2nd o Chwefror 1996 / This sculpture The Arc by David Annand was unveiled by / The Worshipful the Mayor of Wrexham Maelor, / Councillor Michael Morris / on 2nd February 1996. / Uwch y waedd, drwy'r gawod chwys - a helynt / Y morthwylion stormus, / Heibio'r awr sy'n bwyta brys, / Mae tynfa yma at enfys. / Myrddin Ap Dafydd / Above the cry, through streaming sweat - and the storm / Of angry hammers, / Past the hour that devours haste, / We are drawn towards rainbows.
Lord Street, Wrexham (Wrecsam)
LL11 1LR
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