Artwork celebrating Aber Valley’s history to go on display

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A contemporary art showcase celebrating the history of the Aber Valley is coming to Abertridwr this weekend.

The exhibition, organised by community group Y Bowlen Werdd, will feature artwork from 14 local artists.

The exhibition opens at Oasis Coffee Shop on Friday March 27 from 6.30pm to 9pm. It continues on Saturday March 28 and Sunday March 29, running from 12pm to 4pm.

Alongside the exhibition, Y Bowlen Werdd – Welsh for ‘The Green Bowl’ – is launching its debut art‑focused magazine, Gomer Oer Jacko. The publication is named after Gomer Thomas, an Aber Valley artist and town crier from the 1940s. 

For the magazine, the 14 participating artists were given three words with historical links to the Aber Valley and asked to create artwork inspired by one or more of them. The words were selected using the app What3Words – which assigns every three‑metre square on Earth a unique three‑word combination. 

This year’s chosen words are Ceffyl, Plaice, and Milwr. 

• Ceffyl comes from Nant Cwm Ceffyl;

• Plaice from Sonia’s Fish and Chip Shop;

• Milwr from Gwern y Milwr apartments in Senghenydd.

The first edition of Gomer Oer Jacko will be available to buy at the exhibition. 

The event also features interactive elements, including a projection of old maps and photographs of Abertridwr, as well as an immersive listening experience recorded at a local school, where pupils recited the three selected words. 

Garmon Gruffydd, of Y Bowlen Werdd, told Caerphilly Observer: “We had an idea of setting up an art exhibition, and now it’s coming to life I am thrilled. 

“The projects we have created have been received so well, and we just want to encourage that further by allowing people to take part in these creative projects to connect with people in their local area.” 

Originally from north Wales, Garmon spoke of the importance of reviving local traditions, and how events like this help reconnect people with their community. 

“It’s a contemporary art exhibition, which you only usually see in big cities, but by doing it in Abertridwr, I believe it will help re-engage people with the community and help create a great bond between Y Bowlen Werdd and the Aber Valley.”  

Beyond the exhibition, Y Bowlen Werdd has produced an annual poetry booklet for the past three years. The booklet, titled Tatws Siôn Cent, is named after Siôn Cent, a 14th‑century poet from Abertridwr, and the legend in which he tricked the devil into helping him harvest potatoes. 

Each edition is themed around a different area of the Aber Valley. This year’s booklet has seen record participation, with 40 entries submitted – almost double last year’s total of 21. The fourth edition will be released in June and will be available in cafés and shops across the area. 

Following this weekend’s exhibition, Garmon and Y Bowlen Werdd hope to expand their work by organising pop‑up events throughout Abertridwr and Senghenydd. 

This exhibition has been made possible thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. The funding followed the Community Art Forum held in December 2025, where the proposal received overwhelmingly positive feedback.