Art Student Selected to Create Seventieth Anniversary Mural For Swansea Manufacturing Firm

A young Swansea-based artist has been chosen to produce a celebratory wall mural for Viscose Closures to mark its seventieth year in the Welsh city. They will also receive a year-long scholarship with an esteemed local artist and illustrator.

Talented artist Ollie Pfeifer, 23, won the coveted Jeff Phillips Arts Scholarship 2021 and will receive a bursary to study under Jeff for twelve months. Sponsored by manufacturer Viscose Closures, the Jeff Phillips Arts Scholarship forms part of the Swansea Past, Present and Future Arts Festival taking place throughout the year.

Originally from Brighton, in 2020 Ollie began employability training with Swansea Music Art and Digital where he developed his passion for portrait drawing. Ollie said: “This scholarship is life-changing for me. I’m thrilled to have the chance to develop my painting skills with someone as talented as Jeff, and I’ll be eternally grateful to Viscose Closures for their support.”

Arts Festival Project Manager David Jones said: “Viscose’s support for this project is a shining example of the company’s commitment to the community and to the development of young talent. Swansea Past, Present and Future traces a timeline from Swansea’s industrial past through to the social, economic and environmental challenges facing us in the 21st century. We’re proud to be working with a company that’s leading the way in meeting those challenges.”

Ollie was selected from a shortlist of possible recipients for the 2021 scholarship following an extensive number of applications. As part of his prize, Ollie has been commissioned to design and produce a wall installation for Viscose’s Swansea Enterprise Park headquarters.

Viscose has been manufacturing film and cellulose tamper evident solutions in the UK for over 125 years and in Swansea for 70 years. To mark the milestone and actively support the local community, Viscose CEO Vince Minchella initiated the project.

Mr Minchella said: “We are delighted to sponsor the Jeff Phillips Arts Scholarship which recognises and supports local talent. This prestigious accolade and being mentored by Jeff provides a huge opportunity for aspiring artists.

“Ollie is a talented and committed young person with a love of Swansea. He is a very deserving recipient and, alongside Jeff, we know that he will do an amazing job of the Viscose mural.”

For more information about Jeff Phillips and the Swansea Past, Present and Future Arts Festival visit https://www.swanseapastpresentfuture.com/creatures.