Since my visit to various exhibitions in London for inspiration in March, I have been doing intense research on my next large-scale exhibition on the theme of ‘Leisure’ in Wales. Having said this, the task ahead of me is far from leisurely. How on earth do I attempt to squeeze the vast recreational history of the people of Wales throughout the centuries into one exhibition and a handful of gallery spaces?
When you stop to think about it, humankind has always enjoyed some type of leisure and recreation; the Romans had the Coliseum, where they watched chariot races and other entertainment; the Greeks had amphitheaters where they viewed drama and comedy, and of course they invented the Olympics, one of the greatest entertainment sport spectacles on earth.
Leisure and recreation really took off in Wales when the Industrial Revolution hit in the 1700s. The Industrial Revolution revolutionized work in the modern world, and helped create the modern factory environment. Machines mechanized the manufacture of fabric and fibres, and this ultimately led to more leisure time for the workers. The Industrial Revolution helped create the notion of leisure time, and it helped create a different view of work and leisure. It’s hard for us these days to imagine life without holidays, long weekends, bank holidays and flexible hours to enjoy our hobbies and recreational pursuits.
Furthermore, have you ever wondered how much the leisure pursuits and activities of the Welsh has defined our national identity? Eisteddfodau, our choral and bardic tradition, and, in particular, our passion for rugby have become badges of our national identity and this exhibition will endeavour to capture the history of these iconic symbols of ‘Welshness’.