LEAH-MAY NEWMAN
Artist Statement
I am a multidisciplinary artist and facilitator working with crochet, digital art, painting, photography, and the dramatic arts—my practice centres on creativity, connection, and community. I often incorporate reclaimed materials, finding joy in taking unused or forgotten objects—usually from charity shops—and giving them a new purpose, a new chance to be appreciated in the way they once were.
A recurring theme in my work is the circle. It’s a shape I’ve always instinctively been drawn to—something about its openness, lack of edges, and absence of hierarchy feels right to me. I strongly believe in art’s power to express, include, embrace, and empower, and I channel this by creating spaces that encourage vulnerability, imagination, and connection, even breaking down barriers. My facilitation style is relaxed and collaborative, with participant-led sessions where I create alongside everyone else, championing people to explore their creativity by providing them with the tools or outlet to do so. Accessibility is also central to my practice; I work to ensure that everyone can engage meaningfully with art.
A Love Letter to Pontypridd
Circles symbolise wholeness, continuity, and inclusivity. They can surround and embrace us like a comforting hug, or act as portholes offering glimpses into other worlds and perspectives. For me, this simple yet profound shape represents joy, unity, and the infinite potential of creative connection. It’s this personal connection to circles that inspired me to utilise reclaimed CDs and records as a vessel to capture my and others' perspectives of Pontypridd, whether through their work or my interpretation of an image they shared with me, thanks to social media callouts.
The making process is as important to me as the final piece; this project increased my involvement with Pontypridd's rich community and enabled me to create a collaborative visual love letter of sorts to Pontypridd.
Thank you to those of you who have already been involved. If you would like to participate, please feel free to sit and use the materials provided or leave a comment.
Rwyf yn artist amlddisgyblaethol ac yn hwylusydd creadigol, gan ymgorffori crosio, celf ddigidol, paentio, ffotograffiaeth a'r celfyddydau dramatig yn fy ngwaith. Mae fy ymarfer yn plethu creadigrwydd, cysylltiad a chymuned. Yn aml, rwy'n rhoi ail fywyd i wrthrychau anghofiedig, wedi’u darganfod mewn siopau elusen, gan ddod o hyd i harddwch newydd yn yr hyn oedd unwaith wedi’i anghofio.
Mae’r cylch yn thema sy’n dychwelyd yn gyson yn fy ngwaith. Ers amser maith rwyf wedi teimlo atyniad greddfol at y siâp hwn—agored, heb ymylon nac urddas drychinebus. Yn fy ngweledigaeth, mae celf yn gallu mynegi, uno a grymuso, ac rwyf yn ymroddedig i greu gofodau sy’n meithrin bregusrwydd, dychymyg a chydgysylltiad.
Mae fy dull hwyluso yn naturiol, cydweithredol ac yn seiliedig ar barch, gyda sesiynau dan arweiniad y cyfranogwyr lle rwy’n creu ochr yn ochr â’r rhai eraill. Fy nod yw meithrin hyder ac annog archwilio creadigol, gan sicrhau bod celf yn hygyrch i bawb.
Llythyr Caru i Bontypridd
Mae cylchoedd yn symbolau o gyflawnder, parhad a chynhwysiant. Gallant ein cofleidio fel cwtsh cynnes, neu agor drysau i fydau a safbwyntiau newydd. I mi, mae'r siâp difyr ond dwys hwn yn adlewyrchu'r llawenydd, yr undod a'r gallu diderfyn sydd yng nghreadigrwydd pobl.
Wedi fy ysbrydoli gan y berthynas bersonol hon â chylchoedd, dewisais ddefnyddio hen CDau a recordiau fel canfasau ar gyfer cipolygon gweledol o Bontypridd—boed drwy gyfraniadau uniongyrchol neu fy ymgais fy hun i ddehongli’r ddelwedd a rannwyd, gan ddefnyddio grym cyfryngau cymdeithasol i uno pobl.
Roedd y broses greadigol yr un mor werthfawr â’r darn terfynol: profiad a roddodd gyfle imi ymdrwytho ym mywyd cymuned fy ninas, gan greu llythyr caru gweledol ar y cyd i Bontypridd.
Diolch o galon i bawb sydd wedi cyfrannu hyd yma. Os hoffech ymuno â’r daith greadigol hon, mae croeso cynnes i chi ddefnyddio’r deunyddiau sydd ar gael neu adael sylw gyda’ch myfyrdodau.
