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© tracey moberly 20160115.echo_full.jpg
SOUTH WALES ECHO
Tracey Moberly
Art gallery filled with 1,000 ceramic hearts for St Dwynwen's Day
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15 January 2016
Calling all romantics, we've found the perfect art exhibition for you. Karen Price finds out how one gallery is transforming itself in time for St Dwynwen's Day
COULD there be- a more romantic way of celebrating St Dwynwen's Day than by filling an art gallery with 1,000 ceramic hearts? Y Galeri in Caerphilly will be doing just that and the vibrant red porcelain hearts will come in all shapes and sizes. They are the work of artists Tracey Moberly and Phil Hughes who have been working flat out in their studio to produce the beautiful symb~ls of romance in time for the exhibition, which opens on January 24 - a day before we celebrate the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers.
The installations include a "kissing seat" laden with red he(U'1:s - the perfect place for those wishing to pop the question to their significant other. And don't forget ladies, it's now a leap year when traditionally you should be in the driving seat ...
Gallery owner Jan Pennell says: "This is the second year that we've had this installation and it's returning because it was such a success last year and seemed to have captured the imagination of people of all ages. It's certainly not a prerogative for young lovers.
"New for this year is the introduction of the red love seat which will be laden with red hearts and can be used for lovers to sit on for photographs or selfies.
"During the launch we're planning to take the love seat over to Caerphilly Castle for lovers to take advantage of the magnificent backdrop. A proposal would be the icing on the cake.
"The hearts are available in different sizes and are handmade in Pontllanfraith. Each one is unique. Costing between £5 and £10, they are an affordable romantic gesture:' St Dwynwen's Day is based on folklore and Celtic stories about Dwynwen, the daughter of King Brychan Brycheiniog and Queen Rigrawst.
Dwynwen was engaged to Prince Maelon Dafodrill but her father was opposed to the union. Filled with anger Maelon raped Dwynwen who then fled to the woods. Falling asleep praying that she could forget Maelon, she was visited by an angel who gave her a potion of forgetfulness. This potion was meant to dispel the love that she felt for him, and for the grave sin the Prince had committed he was turned into ice.
But her love was strong and upon seeing that he had been turned into ice she asked for three requests. Firstly that Maelon be returned to life, that all the dreams of true lovers be looked after through her and that she would remain unmarried. Dwynwen then left for the west coast of Anglesey where she became a hermit until she died. Dwynwen is said to be buried beneath the ruins of the 16th century church there.
• 1,000 Hearts ... For Lovers will be at Y Galeri, Caerphilly from January 24 until February 14
