CYMRAEG DDRWG
Ffion Williams
Cymraeg Ddrwg was created by artist Ffion Williams to explore Welshness, protest, and hope. Through using Cymraeg (Welsh language) to explore identity and cultural belonging, Ffion experiments and plays with language, layering text and using their own method of creative translation.
“When using Welsh I make mistakes, miss mutations, and substitute English words to make my point. I call this Cymraeg Ddrwg (bad Welsh). Through this, I embrace language as an evolving tool for creation.” – Ffion Williams
This artwork was on display from May 2024 – April 2025.
BACKGROUND
Ffion uses sound, metal work and protest banner motifs to create work that investigates language, place, protest, and industrialisation. They use Cymraeg to explore their own complex and uneasy relationship with Welshness. As a minority language that was banned for over 500 years, many continue to feel the loss and frustration of this legacy.
For Cymraeg Ddrwg, Ffion interviewed people at the train station in their hometown Abergavenny, as part of Casgleb, a research and development project run by Peak Cymru. Through gathering thoughts about language and identity in a place of movement, Ffion gained an understanding of the various relations to Wales and Welshness. These were then translated into artworks, using snippets of text to layer experiences and opinions, creating paintings that reflect the commotion of the train station.
Through seeing language as something that is also in motion, and to play with, Ffion tries to remove the pressure that is often felt when learning. Their method of creative translation works to build confidence and make people comfortable to try, play and create with Cymraeg.
FFION WILLIAMS
Ffion is an artist from Abergavenny who is based between Wales and Edinburgh. They studied painting at Edinburgh College of Art and exhibited in our annual graduate exhibition Portal in 2023. Their work is based around Welsh language and identity.
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
Alongside Cymraeg Ddrwg ran a series of free creative activities and workshops.
25.02.25 – Introduction to Relief Printing
30.10.24 – Big Banner Making
02.11.24 – Finding your way in the arts
02.11.24 – Artist Talk + Language Collage workshop, with Peak Cymru
18.05.24 – Artist Talk + Opening Event
This project has also included sessions with local schools.
Cymraeg Ddrwg is funded by Arts Council of Wales Create scheme and the Ashley Family Foundation.
