Theatr Clwyd Public Art

Introduction

studio three sixty has been responsible for the strategic planning, project management and delivery of the Public Art scheme for the new building. Our mission has been to create and commission public art that is inspirational and inclusive – art that speaks to the history and communities that are intertwined with the building, and that can enhance Theatr Clwyd’s reputation as a beacon of artistic excellence.

To develop these commissions, we formed a steering group that included local and national representatives, and agreed a set of core themes that would underpin the commissioning strategy. As part of the initial stages of the process we also invited two artists to undertake research residencies at the theatre.

From this work, we devised a mixed strategy of direct commissions and open calls. Rather than commissioning one well-established artist to produce a single commission, we decided it would be more in keeping with the theatre’s spirit to commission several artists, including early-career practitioners. Some artists were invited to respond to specific spaces; some to particular parts of the theatre’s history; some a particular material. Others were invited to spend time embedding themselves at the theatre and develop a proposal based on that experience.

Manon Awst – At eich coed (Wood for the Trees)

The first artist we commissioned to create a new artwork for Theatr Clwyd was Manon Awst. Manon is a Welsh artist based in Caernarfon who makes sculptures and site-specific artworks woven with ecological narratives. She is currently a Future Wales Fellow and was recently selected to represent Wales at the 2026 Venice Biennale. Her artwork was developed through a research residency, during which Manon worked closely with the project team to develop a proposal that would breathe life and magic into an otherwise underserved part of the building.

At eich coed is a large glass artwork that brings elements of the landscape into the interior public spaces of Theatr Clwyd, like extra windows to the outside. Complementing the architectural wooden structure and colour scheme, the glass is printed with the distinctive bark pattern of plane trees, an original landscape feature that will be preserved as part of the theatre’s sensory garden. Sections of the glass are mirrored, to create an engaging experience for visitors. 

Frances Priest – Steller

Frances Priest is a leading figure in the world of ceramics with a distinct hand and a clear voice as to the relevance and power of craft in contemporary life. Her studio ceramics are part of permanent collections at The National Museums of Scotland, The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and The V&A in London, and she has also developed large-scale ceramic tile works for projects in the public realm. 

Inspired by existing tile and brickwork in the 1970s theatre building, Steller uses a series of unique cast motif tiles in a dynamic composition that dances across a rich blend of ceramic colour. Sited in the bar and restaurant area, the work comprises of over 1800 tiles across an area approximately 18 meters square.

To help realise the artwork, Frances collaborated with tile manufacturers Craven Dunnill Jackfield, who operate the oldest surviving tile factory in the UK.  The original tile shapes were hand-carved by Frances in her Edinburgh studio. These were then passed on to the team at CD Jackfield and a close collaboration unfolded over a period of several months. Every tile is handmade, and each one bears the fingerprints of a whole host of people involved in different stages of the process – from  making the tile shapes to glazing, to numbering and boxing up the tiles in preparation for installation.

Sauda Imam – Cynefin

Sauda Imam is a London-based textile designer working across print, weave, and material storytelling. Originally from Nigeria, Sauda graduated with first-class honours from Central Saint Martins and holds a Masters in Textile Design from the Royal College of Arts. Since graduating, Sauda’s work has been featured in publications such as Vogue and Elle, she’s been selected for The King’s Foundation’s “35 under 35” network, and was recently hand-picked as a New Talent artist for this year’s Heimtextil in Frankfurt. Her work blends cultural heritage and contemporary design, often with a focus on storytelling and expressions of identity, pride and belonging.

For Theatr Clwyd, Sauda has a created a mammoth (33x5m!) curtain, which serves as a centrepiece of a multi-use community space at the theatre. The design is inspired by the local landscape and traditional Welsh adornments, and has been informed by archival research, site visits and community workshops.

The artwork has been informed by archival research as well as a workshop with community group Art from the Armchair.

Jude Rogers, Catrin James, Studio Mothership – Studio 2’s Talking Pictures

Studio 2’s Talking Pictures is a commission that explores and celebrates the history of Theatr Clwyd’s film studio. From 1976 until the mid 90s,  pioneering film and television was made at Theatr Clwyd, but the personal day to day stories of this time were never recorded. For this commission, Jude Rogers and Catrin James have explored archives and interviewed dozens of people who have connections to the studio, collecting stories, photographs and objects that celebrate Studio 2’s legacy. These interviews will be available as an online archive.

To bring this work into the building, Catrin created two collage artworks, which formed the inspiration of a public art piece created in collaboration with design practice Studio Mothership.

Huw Davies – The Puzzle of the Ravens

Huw Davies is a Welsh artist whose work grows out of the stories, mythologies, and history of the land he has grown up on. He works predominantly in sculpture, paint and film, and has participated in arts projects all over the world. His work has received numerous recognitions including a BAFTA, an Investors in People award, and a National Eco Projects award.

For Theatr Clwyd he is creating a bilingual treasure hunt, Pos y Frain. The artwork comprises a series of sculptures placed around Theatr Clwyd that do not readily present themselves. Each sculpture has to be found. It contains letters. The letters are a puzzle. Once solved they provide the combination to a puzzle lock on a secret door, behind which are the names of the owners of the thirteen treasures of Ynys Prydein.