WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE : FFWRNAIS

I’m delighted to share the most recent project I’ve been working on. Some of you might be aware of the Wales Millennium Centre at Cardiff bay. Wales’ national art centre that opened it’s doors in 2004. It comprises a large theatre and two smaller halls with shops, bars and restaurants. It houses Wales' national orchestra and opera, dance, theatre and literature companies, a total of eight arts organisations in residence.
If you’ve visited the centre recently you’ll have noticed the closure of the foyer area, blocking off what used to be the (very long) ticket desk. I’m delighted to say they’ve been updating this area to make it an open space for all. A space to grab a drink before a performance, a space to co-work, a space to relax if visiting Cardiff bay, a new area for you to relax in a suitable space. 

Conversations started a while back, but as we progressed I was commissioned to design cushions that would be scattered around the new space, along with paper designs and hand woven pieces; a big project for me. I was informed of the colour palette for the upholstery fabric, so now it was a matter of designing cloth that would suit. 

As soon as I was asked to work on this project, I had an idea of where this was going. I looked back at work I’d done around Maritime Signal Flags (various flags used to communicate with ships), and as ever I was fascinated with the idea of communicating through shape and design. I decided to concentrate on WMC- Wales Millennium Centre, CMC- Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru, and CF- Fishing Boat registration code of Cardiff. Above are the four letters I used as inspiration for my design work.

After sampling on my hand loom, the decision making came pretty fast. Production of the fabric was made in Bristol Weaving Mill and within a few months, the cushions were back in Cardiff ready to be scattered around the new space.
I was delighted with the four cushion designs, and thought that the subtle change between the front and back of each design worked well, meaning there are eight different designs in all.
Variety of photos and vides here, showing the new space. If you’re in Cardiff Bay, please do head into WMC and enjoy the space.

Photography: Michael Franke