Forging Ahead! an interview with Ann Catrin Evans
Continuing IAWN's coverage of Helfa Gelf's YMYL-2-EDGE, an exciting creative programme that involves fusing art and tech in exciting new ways, we are pleased to present the sixth in a series of interviews with the participants.
Here Ann Catrin Evans talks with Edge2 Curator, Remy Dean.
Ann Catrin Evans is an artist-maker whose multi-disciplinary practice includes working as a sculptor, designer, jeweller and she has become well-known as a metalsmith. If you have visited the Millennium Centre in Cardiff you will have seen, probably touched, some of her metalwork. She made the lock and key used at the opening ceremony, the Cymru’r Byd Trophies gifted to Queen and other dignitaries, the five-metre-long copper sculpture in the atrium and provided the bronze and aluminium handles for all the main doors. A few years later, in 2005, she landed another prestigious commission when she designed the crown for the National Eisteddfod.
Ann Catrin grew up in Bryn Cul, a small farm in Tregarth and began her studies in art and design in Bangor before studying in Brighton for her degree in 3D Design. Shortly after graduating, she moved back to Caernarfon in North Wales.
Since 1991, she has had a studio forge in Glynllifon, and more recently opened two branches of Siop iard - high street retail outlets combined with workshops in Caernarfon and Pwllheli, which she shares with two partners, Angela Evans and Dave Stephen.
When asked to describe her work she replies, “I design and make anything. Public art, or lighting, anything is possible! Each project is different and I enjoy the variety. I learn during research and am still learning new techniques and skills in manufacturing, hand-skills and new tech production.”
So, when did she realise that she wanted to have a career in the creative industries?
“Maybe when, at secondary school, I was taught by the lovely Peter Prendergast and Moira Muir. I realised how natural it was for me to make, create, invent and depict, adapt and surprise. The Art Foundation Course at Bangor was wonderful, and there my visual communication was developed further, in a Bauhaus style of teaching.”
What other creatives have inspired and influenced Ann Catrin’s work?
“From blacksmiths to architects …and ceramicists …too many to name!”
Has being part of the EDGE-2-YMYL programme, through Helfa Gelf, affected her ways of working?
“It has been fabulous to be a part of a show where I put to use the CAD and the handmade skills in Bangor. I do not use CAD regularly, so it pushed me to face it again. Once I am in it, I love it. I also realised I needed a new computer!”
What kind of thing can a visitor to the forthcoming exhibition expect to see?
“A development of two projects I had started by hand and needed to go further with them both. One in wood and another in leather. With wood, I am exploring textures and the play of light with a helping hand from the organic influence of fire on the final surface which I can use for display or as pieces in their own right.”
How did Ann Catrin respond to the EDGE-2-YMYL theme, "to address questions about the modern world and our human experience within it"?
“The project is essentially about interacting with new technologies available in Arloesi Pontio’s innovation centre FabLAB. In my initial response to the brief, I wanted to communicate ideas of combining cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, high precision and accuracy with the human hand made approach, which involves the impulsive and flawed - conditions of the organic and nature.”
What has been the best thing about taking part with EDGE-2-YMYL?
“Working with Pontio staff who have been fabulous, and meeting so many creative people in Bangor.”
and click HERE for more about Siop iard
An exhibition of selected work produced during Helfa Gelf's YMYL-2-EDGE programme will be showing, Saturday 19 January – Sunday 10 February 2019, in the Bocs Gwyn / White Box Innovation Space, Bangor.
More about Bangor University's Arloesi Pontio Innovation - fabLAB - HERE
You can read the YMYL-2-EDGE call-out and brief HERE
Helfa Gelf is now an annual event - an Arts Trail through North Wales during September that involves hundreds of artists, crafters - creatives of all kinds - in an exciting and varied festival of events. Many creatives open the doors of their studios to the public, presenting an opportunity to interact and share their creative practices. The open studios season is during September and is also preceded - and then followed by - a programme of exhibitions, workshops and courses for creative professionals, interested novices, and all those between. Helfa Gelf presents a unique opportunity to meet and chat with artists, makers and doers in their creative spaces, see them at work, perhaps have a go yourself, and see their finished work - which is often available to purchase at special 'trade prices' - ideal if you want to get some unique Yuletide shopping sorted ahead of the rush...
Find out more HERE
Here Ann Catrin Evans talks with Edge2 Curator, Remy Dean.
Ann Catrin Evans is an artist-maker whose multi-disciplinary practice includes working as a sculptor, designer, jeweller and she has become well-known as a metalsmith. If you have visited the Millennium Centre in Cardiff you will have seen, probably touched, some of her metalwork. She made the lock and key used at the opening ceremony, the Cymru’r Byd Trophies gifted to Queen and other dignitaries, the five-metre-long copper sculpture in the atrium and provided the bronze and aluminium handles for all the main doors. A few years later, in 2005, she landed another prestigious commission when she designed the crown for the National Eisteddfod.
Ann Catrin Evans designed the door handles for the Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Ann Catrin grew up in Bryn Cul, a small farm in Tregarth and began her studies in art and design in Bangor before studying in Brighton for her degree in 3D Design. Shortly after graduating, she moved back to Caernarfon in North Wales.
Since 1991, she has had a studio forge in Glynllifon, and more recently opened two branches of Siop iard - high street retail outlets combined with workshops in Caernarfon and Pwllheli, which she shares with two partners, Angela Evans and Dave Stephen.
When asked to describe her work she replies, “I design and make anything. Public art, or lighting, anything is possible! Each project is different and I enjoy the variety. I learn during research and am still learning new techniques and skills in manufacturing, hand-skills and new tech production.”
 |
Marram (2003) public sculpture by Ann Catrin Evans at Newborough Gafrod |
So, when did she realise that she wanted to have a career in the creative industries?
“Maybe when, at secondary school, I was taught by the lovely Peter Prendergast and Moira Muir. I realised how natural it was for me to make, create, invent and depict, adapt and surprise. The Art Foundation Course at Bangor was wonderful, and there my visual communication was developed further, in a Bauhaus style of teaching.”
What other creatives have inspired and influenced Ann Catrin’s work?
“From blacksmiths to architects …and ceramicists …too many to name!”
Has being part of the EDGE-2-YMYL programme, through Helfa Gelf, affected her ways of working?
“It has been fabulous to be a part of a show where I put to use the CAD and the handmade skills in Bangor. I do not use CAD regularly, so it pushed me to face it again. Once I am in it, I love it. I also realised I needed a new computer!”
What kind of thing can a visitor to the forthcoming exhibition expect to see?
“A development of two projects I had started by hand and needed to go further with them both. One in wood and another in leather. With wood, I am exploring textures and the play of light with a helping hand from the organic influence of fire on the final surface which I can use for display or as pieces in their own right.”
 |
Into the fiery forge - work in progress for Edge2 by Ann Catrin Evans |
How did Ann Catrin respond to the EDGE-2-YMYL theme, "to address questions about the modern world and our human experience within it"?
“The project is essentially about interacting with new technologies available in Arloesi Pontio’s innovation centre FabLAB. In my initial response to the brief, I wanted to communicate ideas of combining cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, high precision and accuracy with the human hand made approach, which involves the impulsive and flawed - conditions of the organic and nature.”
What has been the best thing about taking part with EDGE-2-YMYL?
“Working with Pontio staff who have been fabulous, and meeting so many creative people in Bangor.”
- Thank you Ann Catrin Evans!
To see more work by Ann Catrin Evans check-out her
An exhibition of selected work produced during Helfa Gelf's YMYL-2-EDGE programme will be showing, Saturday 19 January – Sunday 10 February 2019, in the Bocs Gwyn / White Box Innovation Space, Bangor.
More about Bangor University's Arloesi Pontio Innovation - fabLAB - HERE
You can read the YMYL-2-EDGE call-out and brief HERE
Helfa Gelf is now an annual event - an Arts Trail through North Wales during September that involves hundreds of artists, crafters - creatives of all kinds - in an exciting and varied festival of events. Many creatives open the doors of their studios to the public, presenting an opportunity to interact and share their creative practices. The open studios season is during September and is also preceded - and then followed by - a programme of exhibitions, workshops and courses for creative professionals, interested novices, and all those between. Helfa Gelf presents a unique opportunity to meet and chat with artists, makers and doers in their creative spaces, see them at work, perhaps have a go yourself, and see their finished work - which is often available to purchase at special 'trade prices' - ideal if you want to get some unique Yuletide shopping sorted ahead of the rush...
Find out more HERE
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