Ancient Connections, a three-year arts, heritage and tourism project linking North Pembrokeshire and North Wexford, is thrilled to have shortlisted five exceptional artists or artist collaborations for an ambitious cross-border public art commission.

The project will culminate in two permanent or semi-permanent artworks, one in St Davids and one in Ferns in County Wexford that will be linked visually or in theme to each other, encouraging visitors to go to both regions to truly appreciate the artwork as a whole. The overall budget for both artworks to include all costs is €175,000.

High quality public art can have a measurable positive impact both for the region where it is situated and the communities living close by.

The two artworks will mark the start and end of the proposed new pilgrim route that Ancient Connections is establishing between Ferns and St Davids.

The pilgrim route plans to generate sustainable and out of season tourism that will bring in much needed revenue for local businesses, tour guides and accommodation providers on both sides of the Irish Sea, and place these two unique and historically significant sites on the map for international tourists.

Ancient Connections is working closely with the communities involved to ensure that the final artworks have meaning for the people who live close to them.

Back in November 2019, the project team undertook community consultations in Ferns and St Davids to understand better people’s hopes and expectations for the public art.

There was common agreement that accessible and interactive artworks made from environmentally sustainable materials and methods were desired.

A total of 23 applications for the commission from all over the world were received.

Pembrokeshire based Studio Melyn, who are the architectural glass artist Rachel Phillips and visual artist Linda Norris made the shortlist as did Holger C. Lonze, an artist based in Kerry, Ireland who works primarily in recycled bronze using traditional mediaeval casting methods.

A cross-border collaboration between Cardiff based artist Mark Gubb and Dublin based artist Alan Phelan has also been shortlisted, as well as Simon Watkinson, a versatile artist working in a range of mediums based in the north of England.

The fifth artist is Bedwyr Williams – who represented Wales in the Venice Biennale in 2013, and will be collaborating with Contemporary Art Studio.

These artists will go through to Stage 2, where they will be visiting the sites, meeting with community members and creating design proposals.

The final selection will take place in Spring 2021 through a combination of community consultation and a specialist panel. The artworks will be constructed during 2021 and completed in 2022.

Project Manager Siobhan McGovern said: “We are delighted to have had such amazing artists come forward. Art can contribute enormously to communities, both financially by drawing in visitors but also it can inspire us and make us feel proud about where we live. We are very excited by this great opportunity for Pembrokeshire and Wexford.”

Ancient Connections is led by Pembrokeshire County Council, together with partners Wexford County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Visit Wexford funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales co-operation programme.

If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved in any aspect of the Ancient Connections project please email the team at [email protected]