Iwan Bala

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The importance of Wales and Welsh culture to the work of Iwan Bala.

Iwan Bala interviewed by Kim Howells in his studio, intercut with images of the artist's work both on the walls of the studio and as still photographs. They discuss how his work combines Welsh imagery, writing and history analysing how Welsh culture needs to talk about itself rather than be viewed from the outside. Bala notes the ways in which Wales has appeared in different guises throughout history. Using the core image of a map of Wales, the artist feels he is contributing to keeping a small nation's history alive whilst also looking forward and participating in a new, developing Wales.
From: Framing Wales Episode 4
First Broadcast : 17 March 2011

Teachers' notes

Age Group : 9-11,11-14,14-16

Subject : Art & Design

Topic : Art history, Painting and drawing

Keywords : Iwan Bala, Remembrance, Symbolism, Politics, National identity, Welsh culture

Notes : Pupils could look at maps of the shape of Wales and create their own brief sketches in different mediums - paint, charcoal, pencil etc. Classroom discussion in groups exploring important developments in the world today and how to represent them visually in semi-abstract form. Students to discuss their own understanding of their identity and how they could represent this visually.


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