Swansea’s Indiana Jones brought to life in new computer game

From discovering Arabia to meeting the indigenous tribes of the Americas, the adventures of a 19th Century Indiana Jones-style globetrotter from Swansea are being celebrated in a new computer game.

The retro-style game, put together by the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery’s Saturday family workshop, is inspired by the travels and collections of Richard Glynn Vivian.

Born in 1835, Richard was the youngest son of the industrialist, John Henry Vivian.  He inherited a quarter of his father’s copper empire in 1855, but chose to travel and pursue the arts instead of working in the family business.

His travels also took him as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, China and Africa, where he took locomotive trains and collected a vast quantity of artworks and treasures.

The collection of rare antiques, intricate glassware, porcelain, paintings, drawings, china and other artefacts was eventually donated to Swansea in the shape of the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.

The computer game is being launched in Swansea’s Castle Square on Saturday April 25 from 11am to 3pm. Visitors will be able to try the game on a tablet, pick up an Adventures of Richard Glynn Vivian comic book and watch ‘The Adventures of Richard Glynn Vivian’ animation on the big screen.

The game will also soon be made available to download or play on the Glynn Vivian website.

Swansea Council is behind the programme of activities thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “Richard Glynn Vivian’s travels and art collecting exploits around the world read like a real life Indiana Jones story.

“His adventures are an inspiration to young people, so it made sense to focus on his globetrotting in our Saturday family workshops as a way of introducing the arts to local children by doing something they could relate to. The opportunity to work on a retro-style computer game wasn’t just fun – it was also educational because the children who took part learned about the history of computer games and techniques in their development, too. These skills, particularly in the digital age, will serve the children well in later life.

“This project is one part of a hugely successful programme of off-site events and activities that’s on-going while the main gallery building on Alexandra Road is temporarily closed for a major redevelopment. The off-site programme has clocked up over 100,000 visits since its inception, with more than 400 workshops having been held in the last year.

“The redevelopment of the Glynn Vivian into a gallery of international significance will support Swansea’s reputation as a place for innovation, creativity and excellence, putting us on a par with other leading cities in the UK.”

Redevelopment works at the attraction scheduled for completion in the late summer this year include a new lecture space as well as conservation, library, exhibition, learning and community spaces.

There’ll also be a new, fully accessible entrance and a collection store for the art collection that means more people than ever will enjoy greatly improved access to the artworks. A new state-of-the-art extension will link to the historic buildings, including the grade two listed 1911 gallery, which are benefitting from complete restoration and improvements to facilities and access. This includes lifts and hearing loops to ensure the Glynn Vivian is fit for the 21st Century.

The investment has been made possible with funding from the Arts Council of Wales, the Welsh Government, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadw and Swansea Council. Funding was also secured through the Building Enhancement Programme grant scheme run by Swansea Council and funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The process of transporting, unpacking and carefully handling the many thousands of artworks, including ceramics, paintings, sculptures and works on paper, will start once redevelopment work is finished. The installation of new exhibition displays and the preparation of public and learning areas will also then take place in readiness for re-opening to the general public in the summer of 2016.

Have a look at www.glynnviviangallery.org for more information or call 01792 516900.