Jan Tedstone a.k.a. JanTed - Artist Statement

I am a Welsh Artist, known as JanTed, who enjoys using a range of media to create art and I find l am particularly drawn to animals, birds and people as my subject. I love to interact with others and facilitate art workshops with people of different ages and views. In doing so I have found that everyone, no matter what their background, can enjoy some aspect of the natural world. From infants to older adults, I see the pleasure that can be found when creating art that is representative of life.



The variety of flora and fauna that then changes as we travel around our world is enchanting, a constant array of colour and shape. Our spiritual connection to this life force around us majorly contributes to our wellbeing and this therapeutic value has long been recognised by our forefathers. For example, a child playing in a mud pie kitchen is a game as old as time and is played across the globe. Through my playful process of making art, I become a keener and more attentive observer of life, reaping important benefits from this personally.

My contribution to this exhibition is a selection of sculptures I have created as celebratory pieces of this connection between people and the natural world. This was inspired by the connection between the people of Pontypridd and the park at its heart, Ynsangharad, with its designated wild areas that support local wildlife. Each sculpture has had a selection of seeds embedded within it, and when the piece is then placed in the open air the sculpture will eventually dissolve as it is weathered over a short time, the seeds encased then sprouting. Hopefully, they may become a source of nutrition for an animal who may then, in turn, become dinner for another. Such is the cycle of life and I make these sculptures to further support and nurture it. They are a reminder that we are all but a small part of life around us.



I invite you to make your own seed-embedded sculpture using the activity sheet provided. Once you have made your sculpture take it on a walk to your local green, wild or woodland space and display it, photograph it and share your photos on the Chubby Sheep Face book page.