My Brew
Sharing a cuppa has long been part of social life in Wales. What we drink, how we make it and who we share it with can reflect personal, family and cultural traditions.
For a women’s art group in Port Talbot, meeting over a hot drink became part of their weekly creative sessions. Through REACH, they explored the history of tea in Wales, discovered drinking vessels from museum collections and tasted teas from different cultures and traditions.
The group also experimented with natural dyes made from tea and coffee before thinking about their own favourite drinks and mugs – and the memories and stories attached to them.
They then created their own ceramic mugs, using designs to express their personal and Welsh identities. Janine’s mug, shown here, brings together different parts of her identity and her connections to Wales.
Click the images to explore the artwork
Take a look at more Port Talbot creativity
Port TalbotMore Than Just a Green Space
In 2023, the land around Sandfields Library was mostly open grass. Local volunteers had a different vision – to create a garden that could bring people and nature together
Port TalbotThe Aberavon Whale
A paper-maiche sculpture of the Aberavon whale and penguins, a much-loved public art feature on the seafront
Port TalbotAtgofion: Portraits of Belonging (Book)
A book of portraits and memories of residents of Ysbryd Y Mor assisted living
Port TalbotWeaving the Bees
3 willow bees celebrating the community garden’s creation and the rare carder bees found in Port Talbot
Port TalbotDeep Waters
A diaorama of knitted sea creatures, the iconic steelworks skyline, and shells from Aberavon beach