THE GATE – SIÂN BOWI – PERTHYN EXHIBITION

SIÂN BOWI
Siân Bowi grew up at Blaenbowi farm, Capel Iwan, and her interest in photography began as a young girl, whilst digging through old family photographs in the drawer of the welsh dresser at the family home.
While in her twenties, she had a darkroom in the cupboard under the stairs, and spent much time there processing film and black and white photographs. Although Siân uses digital equipment these days, she would like to rekindle her love of film, and the process of developing and printing, as this ‘old school’ technique has the honesty and integrity that will, she feels, most suit her work.
Siân works freelance, photographing weddings, portraits and commercial work. When not engaged in her daily work, Siân has a passion for capturing the landscape and people, and their relation to each other, to create a pure, raw and honest form, under the Celfennau name.
Celfennau was founded in 2016 as an outlet for her Fine Art work. In 2012, she was shortlisted for Fine Art Photographer of the Year at the British Professional Photography Associates photography awards ceremony in London.
Siân’s goal is to develop Celfennau and her Fine Art photography, recording the changing face of Welsh culture, traditions and landscapes, both modern and old.

EXHIBITION
Belonging; to
Something, Someone or Somwhere
Belonging v.i. 1. To be the property or possession (of) 2. Person’s relatives 3. affinity (a sense of belonging)
Defining the word ‘Belonging’ can lead you down many paths. This exhibition conveys the meaning in more than one context – possession(s), family or kinship, and that sense of belonging to somewhere.
During the course of the exhibition, there will be an opportunity for you to be photographed with your most treasured possession, one that you feel has rooted you throughout your life, be it your old Family Bible, Aunty Brenda’s china jug, your most precious vinyl album, your old cuddly scruffy teddy or, in my case, my little pair of clogs that my grandfather made me when I was four years old. However, I will not be able to facilitate your vintage Rolls-Royce!

THE GATE
Located in the heart of rural Carmarthenshire, this gracious stone building, once a mill, then a farm stores is still the focal point of St. Clears. This is a landmark and reference point for both locals and visitors alike.
In recent years, the building has been converted and adapted to provide an art gallery and exhibition centre, a shop, conference / meeting rooms, artist studios to hire, as well as cafe and St. Clears library.
ST CLEARS
We thought the best way to celebrate the exhibition would be to invite all of our local businesses to celebrate our own unique St Clears community and all it has to offer. Therefore this will be an outstanding opportunity for us to show appreciation of one another’s businesses, to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of St. Clears and to foster cooperation for the future.
The event will be a chance to network and connect as a community while enjoying a slice of cake, a splash of tea and a pinch of culture.

STATEMENT FROM COUNSELLOR PETER HUGHES GRIFFITHS WHO OPENED THE EXHIBITION
“It was a pleasure to open this exhibition in The Gate St. Clears and to have the pleasure of the company of so many local people including many of Sian Bowi’s friends.
It is without doubt that Sian is one of the best photographers of her generation and the exhibition is well worth a visit.
It was lovely to see that The Gate is developing as one of the best craft centers in the west, through its exhibitions and extensive Welsh crafts that are available to buy there”

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