‘The Gwenllian Morgan Project’ at Y Gaer Museum & Art Gallery, Brecon

11 Nov

The Gwenllian Morgan Project has delivered the installation of a sculpture of Gwenllian Morgan in y Gaer’s historic Courtroom, along with animations and videos of key moments of Gwenllian’s life created by Artist Susan Adams. Bringing women representation to an otherwise male dominated environment and rightfully acknowledging and celebrating this remarkable woman’s achievements. We were delighted that First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan unveiled the successes of this project, adding to its significance and bringing its importance to the forefront.

An activist locally, nationally and internationally for causes including peace, temperance, votes for women, wider access to education and healthcare, Gwenllian Morgan (1852-1939) was also an expert on the poet Henry Vaughan, a keen supporter of Brecon Cathedral and co-founder of the Brecknock Society and Museum. But despite her widespread fame 100 years ago, she is barely known today, even here in Brecon, this project changes that. The Gwenllian Morgan Project aims to celebrate the legacy of a local Brecon hero, Gwenllian Morgan, Wales first woman mayor.

Gwenllian Morgan Project Stage 1: Sculpture by Artist Susan Adams

Gwenllian Morgan Project Stage 2:
Animation by Artist Susan Adams

Offical unveiling by First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan MS

You can now go and see this remarkable work, the wonderful sculpture of Gwenllian Morgan created by Artist Susan Adams is now on public display in the Victorian Assize Court which is at the heart of the y Gaer Museum & Art Gallery.

As well as the sculpture, Artist Susan Adams has created a series of wonderful animations alongside her remarkable work of Gwenllian Morgan, they help tell her story. If you are visiting Y Gaer's Courtroom, be sure to scan the QR codes and use your phone to watch the animations and learn more about this remarkable figure.

First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan MS paid a moving tribute to Wales' first female mayor at the dedication of the artwork and animations created by Artist Susan Adams which tell Gwenllian' Morgan's inspiring story at Y Gaer Museum & Art Gallery.

At the event, the First Minister said: "As Wales' first woman mayor, Gwenllian was a pioneer and role model to so many women. She was also a local champion and leader in the 1923 Welsh Women's Peace Petition movement, a group that continues to inspire people in Wales to this day. Gwenllian contributed so much here in Brecon and further afield and gave the women of Brecon a voice. It's fantastic to see her achievements now honoured permanently here in Brecon - Gwenllian is rightfully taking her place in the pantheon of remarkable Welsh women."

It was a poignant moment when Brecon’s current Mayor Marie Matthews spoke about her connections with Gwenllian and representing women today.

The Gwenllian Morgan Sculpture and Animations were commissioned by the Brecon Story Network and given for display in the Victorian Assize Court which is at the heart of the y Gaer Museum & Art Gallery.

Carla Rapoport and Elizabeth Jeffreys, of the Brecon Story Network, noticed that the newly refurbished Courtroom was filled with busts and oil portraits of men only and commissioned this exciting project to acknowledge Gwenllian's impact and include women's representation.

Gwenllian Morgan was the first woman in Wales be elected to take part in to Iocal government and serve on a borough council in 1907 before becoming mayor of Brecon in 1910-1911. Gwenllian was a noted social campaigner both locally, nationally and internationally for causes including peace, temperance, votes for women, wider access to education and health.

The Gwenllian Morgan Project continues…

We are currently working on a local history project to research the women who signed the 1912 Subscription Book in Gwenllian’s honour. This subscription funded her oil portrait which hangs in the Guildhall.

We are also working towards providing educational materials to ensure her story becomes part of the local school curriculum, bringing her story to life for young people.