bocs

Bocs is a co-operative project which grew out of Oriel Dafydd Hardy and is now in the process of securing alternative premises which would serve as a gallery, drop-in information and studios complex in Caernarfon town centre. The aim is to establish a hub for the growth of excellence in the arts. At present we are looking at providing the following facilities:

· An arts retail area where artists can sell their work, and people can buy arts supplies;
· Providing workspace, studio and gallery space for those involved in the arts;
· Meeting rooms for local community groups, businesses and organisations;
· One stop shop where information can be provided on the arts sector;
· Arranging events and performances;
· Sessions aimed at the education sector.

This arts space would be unique as it would be run by young graduates, whilst at the same time focusing on inspiring people, especially those from deprived areas, to become part of this community and see art as a viable career.

Further information about Bocs contact us direct at oriel@dafyddhardy.co.uk or 07774 730 325.

Looking At Faces is an exhibition of recent work by brothers Morgan and Ioan Griffith.

With both artists working on a similar theme with contrasting approaches, Morgan’s work is painting and collage based, whilst Ioan has produced a slide projected installation using a penry facial identification kit.

Humour is a strong element in both artists work.

“Since every human contact in every area in our existence begins with a meeting of faces, an understanding of them is, or should be, everybody’s business.” Jacques Penry

Contact Ioan : 07880 846 892 griffith.ioan@googlemail.com and Morgan : 07885 853 547 sonomano@gmail.com www.sonomano.blogspot.com

Anthony Lee Morgan
Duel
July 16 - August 6

Anthony is one of the local young artists that Oriel Dafydd Hardy has followed from Sixth Form through Foundation to Graduation from Leeds University.

Anthony made a big impact in the early days of Oriel Dafydd Hardy by staging a solo show at just 17 years old, whilst still studying at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen. “Oddi Wrth Y Wal” / “Off The Wall” was an light and sound installation blacking out the basement and providing visitors with torches as they stepped down into the noise of graffitied New York Subway. He was featured in the S4C programme Uned 5.

Subsequently, whilst doing his foundation course at Coleg Menai, Anthony joined three other ex-Syr Hugh Owen pupils to stage ” Wylit Waed ” - an exhibition exploring the anger of 21st Century young Welsh people today with that of Gerallt Lloyd Owen’s 1960s generation. This exhibition again had extensive national media coverage.

Returning now, after completing his degree in Fine Art at Leeds University, the focus of 22 year old Anthony’s exhibition “Duel” is two life-size steel figures……standing back to back.

Anthony says ” We all fall into the trap of a “Duel” everyday….whether we duel a friend, or family, the world and more frequently ourselves. Now that you know, ask yourself why?”

Through the influence of Peter Prendergast upon the structure of Coleg Menai’s Foundation course, and his strong belief in drawing as the means by which a subject may be grasped, it is not unsurprising that Anthony leans heavily towards Giacometti for inspiration.

“My entire portfolio consists of large scale figurative 3D projects and I now have the problem of where to store them….I think they will have to go in the garden of my parents’ place in Maesincla for the time being!”

“I’d love to do a series of public sculpture for Caernarfon….I would be prepared to carry out the work for little or no fee, so long as the materials were provided…I’d consider it a such an honour. I want to try and contribute to making Caernarfon a centre for art, a national symbol of Welsh culture. I’d like to add colour to the town…something make tourists want to come back here again and again. Imagine a series of red Welsh dragons around Caernarfon…with one perched on top of Twthill…imagine the impact this would have on the tourist industry!”

Anthony can be contacted on 07779 946 158

Bocs presents the inaugural exhibition of members work. Opening Friday 6th March at 7pm, this exhibition kicks off the start of Caernarfon on Fire celebrating the Celtic Media Festival here in Caernarfon during 25th, 26th & 27th March 2009 on its 30th anniversary.

To welcome our Celtic brothers and sisters ( there will be 350 delegates & 100 students attending) Caernarfon has arranged a special evening of activities, called ‘Caernarfon On Fire’ on the Castle Square on Thursday 26th March 2009.

The evening will be begin at 6pm (till 8pm) in Oriel Dafydd Hardy with an Exhibition & Musical Happening by bocs members.

The members’ exhibition will actually have two celebrations – first, before the Celtic Media Festival arrives there will be a Private Viewing on March 6th 7-9pm, then the Musical Happening on Thursday 26th between 6-8pm

bocs is also organising a Clic Caernarfon -Photographic Exploration. This competition is open to members of the public and to school and college students. Here’s how it works:

1) Find some Friends! - Grab your mates and form a team of up to 4 people.
2) Turn up! - Come along -with your own camera or cameraphone- to Oriel
Dafydd Hardy, Castle Square, 10am 26th March 2009 for an informal talk and pick up a list of themes.
3) Explore! - Explore Caernarfon. Take photographs. have fun. Then upload your work by 6pm or hand in a CD to Oriel Dafydd Hardy by 5pm.
4) Win & Watch! - See our choice of your best work on the amazing 80 seater Screen Machine on the Maes on Friday 27th March 2009.

This is a unique opportunity for local young people to become personally involved this exciting event in our town - through using their talent & imagination to show Caernarfon from a different angle - then showing their work on the Screen Machine on the Maes.

Article in the Caernarfon and Denbighshire Herald on December 4, 2008 about bocs and the christmas bocs nadolig exhibition :

YOUNG artists received their perfect Christmas present this week.

For the latest exhibition at Oriel Dafydd Hardy, in Caernarfon, members of bocs, a co-operative of young local artists, drew up a wish list of art they would like to see on display.

The work ranges from artists they have studied alongside, lecturers who taught them, people whose work they have admired or even read about.

The collection opens on Saturday and will run until January 9.

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