This is Me
** Offsite show **
- Venue Cymru, Llandudno
(April 2023 Onwards)
Cymraeg
‘This is Me’ is a collaboration between Oriel Colwyn and Cartrefi Conwy.
The project’s creative and far-reaching partnership has been shortlisted for the 2023 Arts & Business Cymru Awards.
As part of the ‘This is Me’ project Cartrefi Conwy tenants became celebrities for the day.
The project was the idea of Paul Sampson, Curator of Oriel Colwyn. In partnership with Nerys Veldhuizen, Cartrefi Conwy’s former Older Persons Engagement Coordinator their vision was to give older tenants the chance to shine in the spotlight and tell their stories.
The participants were photographed in their own homes by renowned portrait photographer Niall McDiarmid. These portraits are not just photographs but are part of each tenant’s story. Photographs were also made of items precious to each of the tenants and their stories and conversations gathered by local writer and storyteller Gillian Brownson. The images and texts allow the tenants to tell their stories and share with you a little about their lives.
Anne & Little Anne - ©Niall McDiarmid - "There’s sadness, but there’s wonderful things that happen. We’re such good friends."
These portraits also form part of a storybook to bring the photographs to life.
Paul Sampson, Curator of Oriel Colwyn states: “We wanted to shine a light on the life stories of senior community members and showcase some of their incredible stories. The goal was to highlight how much they have contributed to the community that we live in today and how much they still continue to contribute to society.”
Tony ©Niall McDiarmid - "I was very, very happy and made friendships I even have today. There was only a hundred made, they were very special."
“We called the exhibition This is Me because it was their chance to show who they are, what they are about and demonstrate what is important to them.”
Nerys agreed that it was time for older members of the population to have an opportunity in the spotlight.
She said: “Too often when people get to a certain age they become invisible to younger eyes. People are so concerned with their own lives and activities that they can forget that the older generation still has a vital role in helping make a community thrive and that they still have interests, hobbies, dreams and ambitions no matter what their age.”
Marian - ©Niall McDiarmid - “I took a year out. So many adventures! I don’t want to give in, I’ve got to have a life. The secret is, don’t ever totally grow up!”
VIEW - FULL IMAGES AND STORIES HERE
THIS IS ME wouldn’t have been possible without the Culture Step funding and we are thankful to Arts and Business Cymru for getting firmly behind the project.
