Covid-19 Memorial Swansea

Promenade, Swansea, UK

Glass Artist: Catrin Jones

Steel Artist: Angharad Pearce Jones

Contractors: Swansea Council

Swansea Council have unveiled a new reflective public artwork that will offer a quiet space for remembrance and contemplation overlooking Swansea Bay.

Designed by Welsh glass artist Catrin Jones and sculptor Angharad Pearce Jones, the memorial was fabricated in the Amman Valley and combines sculpted steel with coloured glass. Catching and reflecting sunlight, the materials are intended to symbolise resilience, remembrance and hope.

The glass design that we manufactured incorporates three circular glass elements inspired by the vibrant colours of the peacock butterfly, a symbol of endurance, transformation and renewal. The transparent colours chosen by Catrin allow the light to pass through and spill them onto the ground below. The effect is enhanced by the screen printed mirror interwoven in the design to create jewels of light throughout the day. The memorial is located between two trees within an existing contemplative green space, enhanced with informal seating and wildflower planting to create a peaceful setting for reflection.

Councillor Elliott King, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, said: “The impact of Covid continues to be felt every day. Too many families lost loved ones, and many key workers, volunteers, neighbours and friends carried us through the most difficult times. The council made a promise that Swansea would honour everyone affected by the pandemic, and this memorial will provide a lasting place for remembrance.”

The artists explained that the design was shaped by conversations with local people and by the collective experiences of the pandemic. Reflecting on themes of grief, resilience and community, Angharad Pearce Jones said: “People spoke about loss, endurance and the small acts of kindness that helped them through Covid. The design responds to those experiences, acknowledging the distances we had to keep, the connections we worked hard to maintain, and the hope that helped us move forward.”