Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
We hear from the Newcastle-based visual artist, who presents her first solo exhibition from 18th October with independent experimental label and promoter Industrial Coast.
Who are you and where are you from?
I’m Angharad, also known by Ann to some. I’m from North Wales, right on the coast, which is why I love Newcastle and the North East.
What is it you do?
I’m a visual artist creating dark portraiture, monochromatic works and experimental art. I also dabble in art/sound performance and collaborations on ambient, noise and musique concrète projects.
How long have you been doing it?
I’ve been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. Apparently, I wasn’t fussed about toys as a kid, but more interested in drawing on the boxes they came in. I’ve neglected art in adulthood; life got in the way. It’s an exciting time to now revisit it, especially at such a tense time in the world. It’s a cathartic form of expression.
What inspires you?
My work always tends to come back to themes of identity and belonging, capturing individual and collective experiences. I’m drawn to writing and poetry that explores introspection and documentation of life. Creating art, and in particular portraiture, is my way of exploring storytelling in this way. I think artists like Phil Hale, Francis Bacon and Chris Cunningham do this so well.
Tell us about your work.
I create large-scale introspective paintings combining portraiture realism and abstract concepts to document past and future, and community. I prefer to work intuitively, no plans nor stencilling, placing importance on process and visceral experience…which means mistakes happen…but I’ve come to love this. Human error is something special to capture, it’s what sets us apart from AI’s pursuit for perfection right?! Keep your mistakes.
What have you got coming up in the future?
Hen Benillion // Old Verses is my upcoming exhibition, exploring cultural identity and collective memory through the examination of anonymous old Welsh folk poetry. Preview is 18 October, 14:00-16:00 with performances from Rovellasca, Gary Wilkinson and Pale World. Exhibition runs from 18 October – 1 November 2025 with Industrial Coast at Unit 1, 7 Dundas Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 1JA.
Other things to keep your eyes peeled for:
Where can people find out more about you?
Find me on Instagram @y_gwacter
See selected works and exhibitions linktr.ee/y_gwacter
Listen to my art/sound projects on Bandcamp ygwacterpaleworld.bandcamp.com
