Library to unveil new commissions during Explore Your Archives Week

As part of this year’s Explore Your Archives Week from November 21-29, The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth will unveil a series of new artistic and creative commissions.

The pieces, which vary in style and medium, are inspired by library’s collections that can be found online. Explore Your Archives Week is a national celebration of the many treasures and stories that can be found in archival materials.

The campaign, led by the Archives and Records Association (UK and Ireland), aims to raise the profile of the collections held at local, national, university and private archives.

The series of works commissioned will be published on the library’s digital platforms. These include works by illustrator Lowri Roberts, composer Gareth Roberts, writer Katie Munnik, multimedia artist Lleucu Jenkins and author Llŷr Titus.

“I’m delighted to have been given this commission to work with the National Library,” said Llŷr Titus. “It’s a great opportunity to highlight the wealth of resources available on their website.

“As I use these resources on a regular basis, I thoroughly enjoyed the process of responding creatively to one of them.”

The library has also worked with Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth to reinterpret some of its photographic collections.

All works and photographs will be published throughout the week on library’s social media channels.

Pedr ap Llwyd, the library’s chief executive and librarian, said: “At the National Library of Wales, we have an extensive range of interesting and unique archival collections, many of which are now available online.

“Like every year, the Explore Your Archives campaign will no doubt be colourful and interesting, not only raising awareness of the invaluable materials held in archives across the country but showcasing their potential as a great source for creative inspiration.”

Vicky Jones, Archives Wales business manager, said: “Explore Your Archives aims to inspire people to learn more about some of the incredible heritage stories on their doorstep and online.

“Stories from our past can also inspire people to create new works and use our history as inspiration in the present. We look forward to seeing the pieces created as part of the library’s campaign, which will hopefully inspire others to explore what archives have to offer.”