Welsh Football magazine has developed a reputation for stunning cover images, mostly featuring photographs of scenic grounds from around Wales. The May 2021 edition’s cover is just as striking – but in this case it’s an original, specially commissioned artwork.
The image is of Ynyshir’s football ground in its Rhondda valley setting, drawn by local artist Gayle Rogers from a brief set by the magazine’s editor David Collins.
“The idea of using artwork in the magazine took shape during lockdown” explains Collins. “We were running short of new photos and I ran a competition for amateur artists. That was quite successful, but it set me thinking about taking it a step further and working with a professional artist.”
“I’m almost as passionate about landscape art as I am about grassroots football, so I was drawn to the idea of commissioning an original. I was aware of Gayle’s Rhondda landscapes and how community-focused her gallery in Ynyshir is, and of course the valley and the gallery have been badly affected by the pandemic, so the commission seemed very appropriate.”
Gayle didn’t need to go far to find a suitable subject, as Ynyshir Oval lies very close to the Workers Gallery in Ynyshir in the Rhondda Fach.
Explaining her aims with the work, Gayle says “I wanted it to have a charming valleys community feel with the pitch almost opening its arms to welcome everyone back. I wanted to create a sense of spring sunshine on an afternoon”.
Welsh Football magazine’s May edition will be available from the middle of the month direct from the publishers (details on www.welsh-football.net) and from independent Welsh bookshops. And the Workers Gallery will also have a stock of this issue with its local ground featured on the cover.