UWIC Lecturer Named Welsh Artist of the Year 2008

Philippa Lawrence senior lecturer in contemporary textiles at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) was named Welsh Artist of the Year 2008 at a glittering ceremony at St David’s Hall on Sunday, June 22. 

Inspired by the Japanese art of binding, the Bound Bonsai, which was wrapped in gold embroidery thread, won her the accolade and a £2,000 cheque prize.

Philippa's art piece follows a theme that started back in 2003 when she wrapped an old oak tree in Carmarthen for a public art project at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

Well-known in the art world, Philippa and her colleague Andy Hazell have devoted three years to locating dead trees in nine of the old counties in Wales, bound them in coloured fabric and photographed them for the Bound series of work.

“I am delighted to have won this year's Welsh Artist of the Year award." said Philippa. "My reason for creating such work comes from a desire to connect with others, and to draw attention to the potential and beauty within everyday objects.”

Philippa explained that when she was working on Bound, she had a great deal of feedback from people who said that the work was uplifting.

The Bound Bonsai is the centrepiece of the Welsh Artist of the Year Exhibition, which runs at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, until July 26.

Philippa has been invited to Chicago to repeat her work in an arboretum.