I’m going to start this post how I start most of my emails recently, I apologise for the lateness of this email/post/news. Life got very busy the last couple of months and when there is a lot going on, it also feels like that in my head. Too full. To the point where I forget things and tasks slip my mind. But better late than never!

It is my absolute pleasure to announce that from the 24 April (yes I know it is May please don’t judge me) to 19 June 2021 Llantarnam Grange will be hosting Phrame Wales newest exhibition Ode To Anna.

Ode to Anna is a celebration of the legacy of Anna Atkins, one of the first female photographers and champion of the Cyanotype process. This show exhibits work by members of Phrame that has either been inspired by Atkins or draws attention to her innovation and the themes surrounding her images. Ode to Anna not only highlights the lasting impression she has made on the photographic world and its history but showcases a range of photographic processes being practiced within South Wales today.⁠

ODE TO ANNA / 24 April 2021 until 19 June 2021 / Llantarnam Grange Art Centre⁠

This is my first exhibition that I have co curated as part of Phrame Wales collective. The idea for this exhibition began its life as an exhibition proposal whilst studying on my Masters a few years ago. We had a module called Museum and Exhibition Design. During this we were tasked to design an exhibition about anything we wanted (and with an unlimited budget as you will see with the exhibiting artists I included in the design hahaha). It was almost 150 years after the death of Anna Atkins and combined with my love of Cyanotypes, I decided this was to be the exhibition focus. Below is the original design (and my terrible drawing skills) that later influenced the brief for Ode to Anna. Merging Art, science, industry and history.

It has been in the back of my mind ever since. Whilst living in Cardiff, I felt that, although there were a lot of really fantastic photographers practising in alternative processes, there were not a lot of exhibitions highlighting this. 2021 is the year that marks 150 years after the death of Anna Atkins. To focus on her contribution to the history of photography and how she inspired so many practioners, was a great way to showcase women’s photographic history whilst simultaneously highlighting the different kinds of photography being practised in and around South Wales. ⁠ I can't believe this exhibition is finally coming to fruition and am so excited for people to see the collection of work that will be on display!⁠

Artists : Molly Caenwyn, Savanna Dumelow, Faye L-Griffiths, Sharon Magill, Kate Mercer, Jane Nesbitt, Tess Emily Seymour, Catherine Yemm & Patricia Ziad

Llantarnam Grange is open Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 – 3:30 (Free admission).
Currently visitors are limited to 6 people in any room at any one time.
Face masks are a requirement.