The Hearth Gallery is delighted to present an exhibition of current works by Kings Road Artists.
Set within a vibrant cluster of creative businesses and artisan establishments, the artists collective, established 23 years ago, remains one of the most well-known, active and productive community of artists in Cardiff.
The Studios’ fascinating history began in1996, when two graduates from Cardiff School of Art and Design, Chris Andrews and Paul Chambers, set about searching for appropriate premises to establish a creative working space.
They discovered a run-down, disused industrial building in what is now Kings Road Yard in Pontcanna, and with the help of John Hambley and Jim Noble set about converting the top floor into 14 artists’ studios. The ground floor became a gallery, Gareg, showcasing the work of local artists.
Kings Road Artists’ Studios Complex has been home to a large number of Cardiff – based artists over the years, and hosts regular open studios, art events and discussion groups. The current collective consists of a vibrant community of 13 artists who practice across a wide range of disciplines including painting, photography, video and sound installation and printmaking.
The diverse group of artists enjoy being active within the wider arts scene in Cardiff and beyond, with connections to arts venues and galleries such as G39, Chapter, The Printhaus, Shift Gallery, Rug Gallery, The Hearth Gallery, Disability Arts Cymru, Made Gallery, Llanover Hall, S4C and Cyfarthfa Castle, together with other artists’ groups and collectives..
The artists’ studios have seen the Kings Road Yard community develop and grow to become a thriving, eclectic mix of community based businesses and creative initiatives.
As part of the exciting vibrant local community of independent, bespoke and sustainable businesses of Kings Road Yard in Pontcanna, the collective is committed to an open and inclusive, grass-roots approach to the arts.
The Kings Road Yard community of businesses include as well as the artists’ studios, an independent coffee house, an artisan bread maker, a micro-brewery, sound recording studios, vegan street food, a bespoke carpenter, a sculpture studio, a yoga and wellbeing studio and weekly Saturday farmer’s markets, flea markets and fairs.
The Studios’ Chair, Martin Briggs was thrilled that the group was invited to exhibit at the Hearth Gallery, saying, “There’s a real diverse range of styles and emotions on show as part of this exhibition. It is my hope that however a person who visits the gallery is feeling, they find a moment of reflection that uplifts their wellbeing while in hospital.
Artists:
Martin Briggs, Elliot James Comanescu, Mabli Gen Eustace, Tess Gray, Sarah Featherstone, Lucia Jones, Margaret Sian Jones, Jorge Lizalde, Sam Pickthall, Alun Rosser, Jan Williams, Melanie Wotton, Ellie Young.