Medieval Meets Modern

The following item is in Welsh and English

Creu a Gwneud yn Ffordd o Fyw i Artist o Sir Benfro

Bydd Katie George, Technegydd Celf/Bwyd o Ysgol Gyfun Aberdaugleddau yn arddangos ei chelf yn Oriel Joanna Field yn Theatr y Torch yn ystod mis Tachwedd mewn arddangosfa o’r new A Little Bit Modern, A Little Bit Medieval.

“O’r dechrau’n deg, rydw i wedi bod wrth fy modd yn creu a gwneud a’r brwdfrydedd a’r egni hwnnw sy’n tanio fy ngwaith. Mae fy ngwaith yn archwiliad o addurniadau a phatrwm yn gymysg â llinell a gofod modern. Rwyf wedi fy nghyfareddu gan y technegau a’r crefftwaith sy’n rhan o’n hanes addurniadol ac yn ei chael yn ysbrydoliaeth barhaus,” esboniodd Katie.

Magwyd Katie ar fferm brysur yng Nghanolbarth Cymru, lle roedd bob amser rhywbeth i’w wneud, rhywun neu rywbeth i’w fwydo, i’w drwsio neu i ofalu amdano ac mae’r dyletswyddau hyn wedi meithrin ei hochr creadigol.

“Rwy’n meddwl bod cael y swyddi hyn wedi meithrin etheg waith effeithiol ynof, a brwdfrydedd i fwynhau bod yn brysur a chynhyrchiol gyda beth bynnag yw eich angerdd, fy un innau yn greadigol,” meddai Katie sydd hefyd yn rhedeg ‘The Big Picture Project Art Club’ ar ddydd Gwener yn Ysgol Aberdaugleddau.

Treuliodd Katie gyfnod diddorol yn gweithio i Toye, Kenning and Spencer yn y Jewellery Quarter ym Mirmingham, gan ddysgu’r broses o weithgynhyrchu blychau enamel addurniadol bach ar gyfer marchnadoedd y DU ac America. Mae hi hefyd wedi teithio’n helaeth.

“Roedd cywirdeb a sylw i fanylion yn hollbwysig. Cefais fy nghyflogi fel peintiwr dwylo mewn tîm o bobl fedrus iawn lle bûm yn cynhyrchu ac yn peintio swmp o stoc gan weithio o gatalog a hefyd yn ymgymryd â llawer o brosiectau a chomisiynau untro mawreddog megis The Eastern and Oriental Express, maenordai mawr a digwyddiadau Brenhinol.

“Treuliais ychydig o amser hefyd yn ne-orllewin Ffrainc, yn peintio. Roedd yr amser yno yn ysbrydoledig a chyffrous iawn, gan fod yr eglwysi a’r adeiladau yn hynod o hen. Gallwch barhau i deimlo ymdeimlad cryf iawn o’r canol oesoedd, cymaint o weadau, dyluniadau a nodweddion i danio’r synhwyrau. Mae llawer o fy ngwaith diweddar uniongyrchol wedi fy dylanwadu gan fy amser yno, ac wrth gwrs mae’r golau yno yn anhygoel,” meddai Katie.

Bydd A Little Bit Modern, A Little Bit Medieval yn Theatr y Torch yn ystod mis Tachwedd a gellir ei weld yn Theatr y Torch yn ystod amserau agor. Mae gwybodaeth bellach yma torchtheatre.co.uk.

Milford Haven Comprehensive School art/food technician Katie George will be showcasing her art at the Joanna Field Gallery at the Torch Theatre during November in an exhibition called A Little Bit Modern, A Little Bit Medieval.

“From the word go, I have loved creating and making, and it is that enthusiasm and energy that fuels my work. My work is an exploration of decoration, ornament and pattern mixed with modern line and space. I am fascinated by the techniques and craftmanship that make up our decorative history and find it a constant inspiration,” she said.

Katie grew up on a busy farm in mid-Wales where there was always something to do, someone or something to feed, or to mend or look after, and this nurtured her creative streak.

“I think that having these jobs instilled an effective work ethic in me, and an enthusiasm to enjoy being busy and productive with whatever your passion is, mine being creative,” said Katie who also runs The Big Picture Project Art Club on Fridays at Milford Haven School.

Katie spent an interesting period working for Toye, Kenning and Spencer in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, learning the process of manufacturing small decorative enamel boxes for UK and American markets. She has also travelled extensively.

“Accuracy and attention to detail were paramount. I was employed as a hand painter in a team of highly skilled people where we produced and painted a bulk of stock working from a catalogue and also taking on many prestigious one-off projects and commissions such as the Eastern and Oriental Express, large manor houses and royal events.

“I also spent some time in south-west France, painting. The time there was inspirational and very exciting, as the churches and buildings are incredibly old and you can still feel a very strong sense of medieval times, so many textures, designs and peculiarities to fuel the senses. A lot of my recent work is directly influenced by my time there, and of course the light there is amazing.”

A Little Bit Modern, A Little Bit Medieval will be at the Torch Theatre during November and can be viewed during theatre opening times. Further information: torchtheatre.co.uk.