Artist to receive scholarship at Eisteddfod in Wrexham
Awarded in memory of Dewi Bowen by his niece, Elizabeth, the scholarship is given to an individual who has been studying or working as an artist for less than five years.
Barnaby hopes to use the £1,500 prize to attend a course at a recognised art school or college, or to take part in masterclasses to further develop his career. In addition, he will be invited to exhibit more of his work at the National Eisteddfod in y Garreg Las in 2026.
Barnaby, 22, said he submitted three pieces of artwork for the selectors to consider: 'Most of my work comes from play, and I like to think it wouldn't exist if I didn't enjoy making it.
'I received some funding from student initiatives to buy woodworking tools, which enabled me to make a Welsh stick chair – one of the pieces I submitted. It's not very comfortable to sit on as it's quite small.
One of Barney's art pieces. (Image: Eisteddfod)'Another piece is a wobbly candle holder. It's mounted on a spring connected to a small motor, and when switched on, it causes the candle to move.
'The third piece is a rotating frame – a metal chain wound around a wooden block.
'I enjoy working with my hands and love fixing things. I also enjoy seeing other people's DIY efforts and believe there's a sculptural quality in repairs that have gone wrong. I'm interested in what is considered art,' he said.
Barnaby, a former pupil at Ysgol Friars in Bangor, studied woodworking at Coleg Glynllifon before completing a fine art degree at the University of the West of England in Bristol.
'I graduated this summer and hope to develop my career as an artist with this scholarship. I've found a shed on a small farm that I hope to turn into a studio,' he added.
The selection panel – Bedwyr Williams, Angela Davies and Anya Paintsil – said they were collectively impressed by the overall quality and depth of the submissions across all categories.
MOST READ:
"Beautifully presented" family home on the market in Wrexham
Yellow weather warning for Flintshire with Storm Floris set to hit the UK
Plans submitted to build new Home Bargains store in Flintshire
'The craftsmanship, knowledge and honesty evident in the artists' use of materials has resulted in a body of work that feels skilful and deeply considered.
'Many of the applications showed clear sensitivity and integrity, which resonated with the panel, and the Dewi Bowen Award in particular highlighted the exciting potential of emerging talent that deserves to be supported and nurtured.
'We were drawn to pieces that conveyed humour, directness and emotional honesty. Many used materials and processes in an unpretentious way, with great sensitivity.
'This balance of playfulness and seriousness, wit and substance, felt culturally resonant with Wales – where plain speaking and humour are deeply embedded. This humour and playfulness were qualities the panel recognised and appreciated throughout the selection process,' they said.
For more information about the festival, visit: https://eisteddfod.cymru
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
32 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Eisteddfod volunteers recognised for decades of service
Keris Jones, Dylan Wyn Jones, and Richard 'Dic' Jones have all been inaugurated as members of the Gorsedd Cymru. Ms Jones from Llantysilio has been a dedicated volunteer and steward at the Eisteddfod for 50 years. She is a familiar face at the festival, offering support to competitors as they prepare for their preliminary tests. Her commitment to the festival has now been recognised by Gorsedd Cymru. Ms Jones, however, was quick to point out that her service was not motivated by the prospect of reward. She said: "That's not why I volunteer. I volunteer because I want to. "I have seen a large number of people come in, take part in a preliminary test, go on to the stage and enjoy success." Ms Jones's connection with the Eisteddfod stretches back to her competitive days when she met her husband, Arfon. Dylan Wyn Jones from Yr Wyddgrug was another volunteer honoured at the ceremony. Known affectionately as Dylan Carafáns by many Eisteddfod attendees, he was instrumental in organising the Eisteddfod's caravan site for many years. READ MORE: Finalists announced for Food Awards Wales 2025 Newsquest to publish souvenir supplements for Teenage Cancer Trust anniversary He was also responsible for the festival stewards for almost 20 years, building a special relationship with the volunteers. Dylan is described as a keen volunteer who supports and promotes a large number of local Welsh organisations. Also honoured was Richard "Dic" Jones, from Yr Wyddgrug, who was the third volunteer recognised. Originally a police officer with North Wales Police, Dic has been involved with the National Eisteddfod since 2007 as part of the Chief Steward's team with responsibility for the transport side. His voluntary work after retiring from the police service has made him a familiar face to thousands of Eisteddfod-goers over the years.
North Wales Live
11 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Owain Rhys wins the Crown at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham
Owain Rhys has been awarded the Crown at this year's National Eisteddfod in Wrexham. The poet, who was born in Llandwrog, near Caernarfon but has been living in Cardiff since he was a teenager, won for his collection of work about his mother living with dementia. The Crown is sponsored by Elin Haf Davies and the cash prize of £750 is presented by Prydwen Elfed Owens, in memory of her parents and her happy childhood years in Bwlchgwyn. The Crown was designed and produced by Neil Rayment and Elan Rowlands in their workshop in Cardiff Bay. Poets were asked to submit a poem or a collection of poems without being in a poem, up to 250 lines, on the subject of 'Ruins'. The judges are Gwyneth Lewis, Siôn Aled and Ifor ap Glyn. Delivering the adjudication from the stage Ifor ap Glyn said that Llif 2's (Owain Rhys' nom-de-plume) collection opens with a simple couplet and it discusses living with someone who suffers from dementia, namely the poet's mother. It is a calm and sensitive approach to what must be done to help the mother continue to live with dignity as her memory decays. He said: "The collection presents a tender picture of a difficult situation that faces so many families today, and we sense the depth of the poet's feelings towards his mother, and her former strength. She in turn is compared to a trinity of strong women from our past, Rhiannon, Heledd and Buddug; and we share the poet's embarrassment at now having to help her sort out her own desk. "This is a powerful and rich collection that grabbed me on the first reading, with each subsequent reading only revealing further layers to appreciate. "In strong competition this year, it could have been discussed to crown Hafgan and Traed yn Dŵr, but Llif 2's collection is the most consistent and consistent in its quality." There was also praise from Gwyneth Lewis in her adjudication: "The text is solid without being exaggerated. There are lovely touches, such as the poet talking about clearing a family archive and throwing family papers into a 'museum box'. A clear, thoughtful and tender lyrical voice runs through the poem, and Llif 2 has the ability to summarize an experience in a few words. "Writing directly or being so spare-words is not easy. There is a special emotional and verbal care and it is a joy to award the Crown to Flow 2." And like his fellow judges, Siôn Aled also praises the work of Llif 2 - although he believes that two other poets are also worthy of the Crown this year. Owain Rhys lives in Cardiff with his wife, Lleucu Siencyn, and his children, Gruffudd and Dyddgu. After working for Amgueddfa Cymru for over twenty years, he now works in the field of community engagement and social value. He was a member of the Aberhafren team, which has twice won the BBC Radio Cymru programme, Talwrn y Bairdd. He has also been victorious in the englyn competitions in the National Eisteddfod. He has a degree in archaeology, and an MA in Museum Studies. He loves traveling Wales and the world to see castles, ruins and tombs. He has been a fan of the Wrexham football team since the 1970s, and has experienced many disappointments (and some joys!) while supporting them over the years.
Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Wales Online
Celebrity SAS star Adam Collard blamed himself for partner Laura Woods' miscarriage
Celebrity SAS star Adam Collard blamed himself for partner Laura Woods' miscarriage The former Love Island star is currently competing on the gruelling Channel 4 programme Laura Woods and Adam Collard (Image: INSTAGRAM) Reality TV star Adam Collard has spoken publicly for the first time about the heartbreak he and his fiancée Laura Woods endured after suffering a miscarriage. Collard revealed the couple lost their baby when Laura was 11 weeks pregnant, just weeks before she conceived again. In January 2025, the couple welcomed a baby boy, Leo. The 29-year-old, who rose to fame on Love Island and has since appeared on Celebs Go Dating, is currently taking on brutal physical and mental challenges in the upcoming series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, which began on Sunday. In a deeply personal moment on the show, Collard reflects on the tragedy and admits he blamed himself at the time, believing it to be retribution for his behaviour on reality TV. 'I know it's a terrible way to look at it, but I felt like it was bad karma for me being on dating shows and upsetting too many people,' he says. 'I felt like that was some higher power's way of being like, 'Well, there you go, that's what you have to carry.'' Article continues below He added: 'I was just a cocky little p***k, being a love rat, jumping from girl to girl. I want to show I'm not that man any more.' Collard became known for his controversial stints on Love Island in both 2018 and 2022, where he was at the centre of several short-lived romances. His time on the show earned him a reputation for womanising — coupling up with four different contestants during his first appearance. He later dated Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott for seven months and, more recently, Welsh contestant Paige Thorne during his 2022 return to the villa. That relationship also ended quickly after the show, with Collard later admitting he 'used' Paige to prolong his stay in the competition. He also had a brief relationship with model Lottie Moss after they met on Celebs Go Dating, though that ended shortly after he was accused of cheating. Collard says meeting presenter Laura marked a turning point in his life. The pair began dating in October 2023 and quickly built a strong relationship, announcing they were expecting a child the following year. He described Laura as 'the one' and credited her support, alongside his experience on Celebrity SAS, as having a lasting impact on his mental health. Article continues below 'On a personal level, I wanted to test myself mentally,' he said. 'I had a lot of stuff going on before I went on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and I've got to be honest — but credit to the show — I actually think it had the most positive impact on my mental health.'
