Swansea Canal is welcoming its first ever artist-in-residence in the shape of Cheon Pyo Lee, who will take up the six-month position starting this month.
The role aims to celebrate both the heritage and historical significance of the two-centuries old canal as well as its relevance to local communities and Welsh culture.
Cheon Pyo Lee was born in Korea but grew up in Paraguay, and lives and works in New York. He has an international practice that includes exhibitions, awards and residencies, including the Queen’s Museum, New York and Atelier Mondial Studio Residency in Switzerland.
His residency will be based at a workspace in Hafod in the Tawe Valley, giving Cheon the opportunity to produce work inspired by the local community and canal surroundings.
‘Wales’ canals have such a rich history’
Cheon is the fourth artist in residence on Wales’ waterways in a programme run in partnership between Addo, Glandŵr Cymru and the Arts Council of Wales to explore how contemporary arts can play a new role in conserving, animating and re-interpreting the waterways in Wales .
Tim Eastop, executive producer of Glandŵr Cymru’s Arts on the Waterways programme, said: “We’re delighted Cheon has been appointed and we’re looking forward to seeing what he produces.
“It’ll be great for him to get started and really involved with the community to explore and animate the canal. Wales’ canals have such a rich history, and links to local industry and culture. They are arguably never more relevant than in today’s society, offering a space to escape, slow down and consider the world in a different way.”
Cheon added: “I am excited to be the first resident artist on the Swansea Canal. I look forward to learning from this historically rich site and also experiment with new approaches towards art making.”
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