Chris Holley, an artist from the Thames Valley, will take inspiration from the music at the Bangor Music Festival for her new piece of work.
During the 2020 Covid lockdown, Ms Holley discovered a piece of music composed by Guto Pryderi Puw, the festival’s artistic director.
Guto Pryderi Puw, artistic director of Bangor Music Festival (Image: Supplied) The piece, ‘Different Light’, inspired her to create two abstract paintings.
She got in touch with Mr Puw, and the two have now teamed up for the 25th anniversary of the festival, which will be held at Pontio Arts Centre from Friday, February 14, to Sunday, February 16.
The paintings will be displayed as part of the Music and the Muse exhibition at the Pontio Arts Centre from January 27 until the end of the festival.
‘Different Light’ will be performed during a concert on Saturday, February 15, at 7.30pm, during which Ms Holley will create new artwork.
Ms Holley said: “I heard Guto’s beautiful and restless Different Light online during lockdown and was fascinated by the music and its concept – a painting being moved from space to space and how the differing light would subtly affect its values.
“So, turning the concept around, over a period of weeks I made two paintings based on his composition, emailing him images of the resulting paintings.
“My art practice is mainly either figurative, influenced by movement and dance – or abstract, motivated by a musical connection.
“To me, music, visual art and dance are all different sides of the same rich coin.”
She will also lead workshops introducing art to children of different ages.
Mr Puw said: “My piece, Different Light, was originally composed and performed at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival in 2000 and during the Covid-19 pandemic Chris heard it again and was inspired to create new paintings.
“She contacted me about her work during lockdown and I was totally speechless by her kind gesture.
“So, as our own returning gesture, The Festival is delighted to stage an exhibition of her paintings as well as staging a live-art event in Saturday evening’s concert at Pontio when Sinfonia Cymru will perform music by John Metcalf and Mikel Kuehn, alongside new festival commissions by Lynne Plowman, Claire Victoria Roberts, Zach Reading and myself.”
Fifteen new pieces will be performed for the first time during this year’s event with some of Wales’s most renowned contemporary performers.
Cerys Hafana will perform on the triple harp, and Hedydd/VDKL, experimental dancers will perform to music by Eädyth Crawford.
The Sinfonia Cymru are also set to perform, as is Deborah Norin, a celebrated soprano.
For more information about the festival and tickets, visit www.bangormusicfestival.org.uk.
