Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen
Thur 22- Sun 25 Mar
In a cultural climate so dependent on technology, old tropes of everyday life can be forgotten as we try to adapt to suit a more digitalised world. Welsh-born multimedia artist, Abigail Sidebotham, has utilised modern technology to enhance her distinctive style and tell her stories, creating a portfolio of work across various platforms such as contemporary photography and film-making to evaluate and address poignant social issues.
Her latest exhibition orally and visually encapsulates the story of the ‘Sea Empress’ oil spil that occurred near the coast of Pembrokeshire in 1996. The vessel was en route to an oil refinery near Pembroke when she crashed into mid-channel rocks at St. Ann’s Head, spilling 72,000 tonnes of crude oil into the sea.
From retrenching the mythical origins of oil to the memories of the people of Pembrokeshire, this exhibition juxtaposes themes of tragedy and disaster that the spill brought to one of Europe’s most vital homes for wildlife with the heart-warming tale of rural companionship – and explores how capitalist greed can damage nature, the environment, and people. All of which are relevant topics used to spearhead debates 22 years later.
The exhibition sails into Carmarthen’s Oriel Myrddin for four days in March, audiences will be treated to a display of enthralling visual art that will educate and force them to consider the underlying messages put forward.
Admission: free. Info: +4401267222775 / orielmyrddingallery.co.uk