Publicity 2006

Historic Newport Tapestries on view at University

The Voice: November 2006
(Picture courtesy of Seren Group)

A series of five tapestry panels depicting famous Newport landscapes which have been donated to the University of Wales, Newport are now on public display for the local community to enjoy. Created by former Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama student Louise Morland in 1988, the 9ft x 6ft tapestry panels were presented to the University by Helen Kegie MBE, Vice Chair of the Seren Group (pictured, far right, with Anne Carlisle, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic)) which commissioned the panels for Charter Housing Association which provides housing, support and other services across south east Wales.

“It's a great honour to accept these beautiful tapestry panels,” said Anne Carlisle, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the presentation ceremony which was attended by Seren Group board members and staff and students of the University.

“We are a community University and it's delightful to have works of art which depict the region so vividly. They enable us to enjoy the past and present in the setting of a future orientated environment.” Made from a collage of Welsh wool, used to add warmth, colour and texture to the Newport landscapes, the five panels depict Newport Castle, Newport Transporter Bridge, Tredegar House, Town Bridge and the University of Wales, Newport, Caerleon campus. They are on public display in the Seren Group Corridor in the Rathmell Building of the Caerleon campus.

“These are very special works of art which capture beautifully the rich architecture and history of Newport. I am thrilled that the tapestries will be displayed in such a lively location within the University,” said Helen Kegie MB, Vice Chair of the Seren Group.

“It has been the desire of the residents of Pant-y-Celyn and Charter Housing Association to display the panels in a public place so that more people could enjoy them and this donation assures their future availability to the public and, through the skills of the University and its students, their future preservation.”

The panels, which have been displayed for many years at Charter Housing Association's largest sheltered housing scheme in Pant-y-Celyn, Malpas, depict buildings which are easily recognisable to the local community and some buildings that are close to Charter Housing Association's heart, not least its first ever property in Herbert Street, Newport which was renovated for their first tenant in 1973.