Cardiff is full of hidden art gems, although some are more obvious than others. If you’re a keen observer or know Cardiff well, you may have spotted the massive sphere next to the A4232 by the bay, but it would also be easy to miss if you didn’t know it was there.
The giant sphere is named A Private View and is a public sculpture by Kevin Atherton. It was installed in 1995 along the A4232 Butetown Link Road in Cardiff and features a figure of a man in a suit, positioned behind a large, polished stainless steel sphere.
It acts as a lens, framing a view of the Norwegian Church across Cardiff Bay and invites people to engage with the piece by offering a unique perspective of the church and the surrounding area. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here.
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Kevin Atherton was born in 1950 on the Isle of Man and is known for having a diverse portfolio of work, including performance art, sculpture, film, video, installation, and site-specific pieces. His creations also often encourage audience interaction, and bring connection between different pieces and the people looking at them.
The mirrored sphere sculpture – public artwork installed in 1995 -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob Browne
A Private View’ by Kevin Atherton -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob Browne
The sculpture features a figure of a man in a suit, positioned behind a large, polished stainless steel sphere. -Credit:WalesOnline/Rob Browne
In Cardiff, it is well worth stopping to appreciate what is around you as there are actually over 200 public artworks in the city according to Cardiff Council. These range from 19th-century statues to more modern installations, which play on the capital’s dynamic cultural landscape.
Some of the key ones include the likes of “People Like Us” by John Clinch (1999), located on Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay. It is a bronze sculpture depicting two young people and a dog, intended to symbolise the maritime history and the people who have shaped its development.
“The Girl at Gorsedd Gardens” by John Meirion Morris (1991) is also a striking addition, located in Gorsedd Gardens, Cathays Park, showing young girl holding a daffodil. This represents the national flower of Wales as well as the spirit of the Welsh people.
Another important statue in Mermaid Quay to look out for that lots of people may have spotted is the likes of “The Merchant Seafarers’ War Memorial” by David Petersen (1998). This was made to honour the merchant seafarers who lost their lives during World War II and is also a nod to Cardiff’s historical significance as a major port city.
Where is your favourite sculpture in Cardiff? Let us know in the comments below.