Gypsy Makers touring exhibition to launch at Tŷ Pawb

Tŷ Pawb will launch its first new exhibition of 2024 later this month.

Gypsy Makers is a new touring exhibition from The Romani Cultural & Arts Company that will feature work from artists they’ve commissioned since the inception of the Gypsy Maker initiative in 2014.

The Gypsy Makers touring exhibition will show new and existing artworks to mark the tenth anniversary of the Gypsy Maker programme which has been fully supported by the Arts Council of Wales.

Newly commissioned artwork to feature alongside existing work and artist-led workshops

Artworks from each of Gypsy Maker shows will be included in order to best represent the full range of voices and diverse practices that the Gypsy Maker programme has platformed to date. Existing artworks from the RCAC art collection, will be displayed alongside newly commissioned artworks made specially for the 2024 exhibition.

The exhibition tour will be accompanied by a programme of artist-led workshops that will expand upon themes within the show and further enlighten audiences regarding each artist’s practice.

Gypsy Makers will include works by the artists Daniel Baker, Rosamaria Kostic Cisneros, Artur Conka, Corrina Eastwood, Cas Holmes, Billy Kerry, Shamus McPhee and Dan Turner and is funded by the Arts Council of Wales.

The Gypsy Maker initiative supports the development of innovative creative works by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller artists. The Gypsy Makers exhibition in 2024 expands the work of the RCAC by continuing to engage GRT communities with the wider public in an ongoing dialogue about the ways in which art continues to inform our lives today.

‘A valuable contribution to international contemporary art’

The Romani Cultural and Arts Company (RCAC) was formed by its Director, Isaac Blake, in September 2009 as a registered charity. Working through the arts the RCAC raises funds to take community development and arts and educational projects onto Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) sites and into wider non-GRT communities across Wales.

Director of the Romani Cultural & Arts Company Isaac Blake said: “We are so proud to continue our ground-breaking work with GRT artists, with support from Arts Council Wales. This project will strengthen the role of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers on the arts scene in Wales, the UK and beyond.”

Dr Daniel Baker said: “The ground-breaking work of the RCAC in supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveler artists is unparalleled. The Gypsy Maker project is unique worldwide in commissioning new bodies of work by GRT artists thus enabling the production of significant new knowledge from an underrepresented group and making a valuable contribution to international contemporary art and cultural discourse.”

Lead Member with responsibility for Tŷ Pawb, Clr Hugh Jones said: “We are delighted to once again be working with the Romani Cultural and Arts Company and we’re very proud to have Tŷ Pawb as the first venue on the Welsh tour of this hugely significant exhibition, marking 10 years of the Gypsy Maker project.

“The exhibition provides a valuable platform for showcasing works by artists from Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities and promises to be an enlightening, educational and enjoyable experience for our audiences. We look forward to opening our gallery doors at the end of January for the launch event of our first new exhibition of 2024.”

Challenging preconceptions

There remain many negative pre-conceptions relating to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. The Gypsy Maker programme has continued to challenge these pre-conceptions by significantly increasing knowledge and public awareness of the dynamic, long-standing (yet often hidden) heritage of artistic endeavour and creativity within Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities.

As an organisation the RCAC remains excited about this project and its scope for adding value to the cultural and artistic landscape of Wales and beyond.

Plan your visit

Gypsy Makers will be on show at Tŷ Pawb from 20th January – 30th March 2024.

Gallery opening times 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday.

Please join us for the exhibition launch event on Friday 19th January, 5.30-7.30.

Plan your visit to Tŷ Pawb

Gypsy Makers Exhibition Tour Schedule 2024

Tŷ Pawb Market Street, Wrexham, Wales, LL13 8BY FREE ADMISSION – Monday to Saturday 10am – 4pm Exhibition: 20th January 2024 – 30th March 2024. Exhibition Launch 19th January 2024 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm,

g39, Oxford St, Cardiff, CF24 3DT, FREE ADMISSION – Wednesday to Saturday 11am – 5pm Exhibition: 10th April 2024 – 25th May 2024

The Riverfront, Kingsway, Newport, NP20 1HG, FREE ADMISSION – Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm Exhibition: 5th June 2024 – 27th June 2024