Mapio Madoc Creadigol | Creatively Mapping Madoc was an underwater project at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, Wrexham (2014).

Collaborating with three other artists, violinist and saw player Francesca Simmons, interdisciplinary artist Angela Davies and sound artist Ant Dickinson, we worked with the local community at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre on an underwater art residency. The project offered us the opportunity to collaboratively explore an experimental approach to recording a physical place (the Leisure Centre) and a desire to involve the Centre’s users to explore new ways of recording both images and sound in the making of experimental underwater films. It was extremely heartening that a number of the Centres user groups responded positively to the request to get involved.

Mapio Madoc Creadigol I, Karen Heald, Francesca Simmons, Ant Dickinson & Angela Davies (2014).

The workshops aimed to create something ‘extra-ordinary’; to delineate the individuality of both the leisure centre and its users; to create an emotive, poetic and collaborative film.

'Whilst the project was underway, the Council announced the need to close the Leisure Centre, due to the current climate of austerity, which lent a new imperative and emotion to the making of the films.' [1]

'The finished pieces suggested the impending menace as well as a wistfulness emanating from the potential loss of facilities and social meeting place. As one of the objectives was to map the history of Plas Madoc, these films gained more significance as they were recording a passing moment in the estate’s story.'[2]

Mapio Madoc Creadigol II, duration 2' 14", Karen Heald, Francesca Simmons, Ant Dickinson & Angela Davies (2014).

The project was commissioned by Oriel Wrecsam | Contemporary Art Gallery, Arts Council Wales and Betsi Cadawaldr University Health Board (BCU HB).

[1] MMC | CMM Spring 2014 Final Report by Honor Pedican (Learning & Engagement Officer, Oriel Wrecsam).

[2] Ibid.