When early explorers brought the pineapple back to Europe, its sweetness and appearance made the fruit a symbol of royal privilege, shown as a feature at grand dinner parties, used as an inspiration within ceramics and architecture. In America it symbolised friendship and hospitality which made it the perfect visual gift and hosts who provided such a rare and exotic fruit established their high social standing in society. They were even rented out by the day! This fruit is a symbol of Dyffryn Gardens and its original status, when we look at the grand rooms one can only imagine its prominence at that time and wonder at the journey this exotic plant had made to Dyffryn Gardens. The pineapple, because of its unique flora and form, has always been an inspiration of mine within my practice.

Group Exhibitions: 2010, VOGA 'A year in Dyffryn–work in progress.' Womens Arts Association 'Keepsakes.' Powys Oriel Llangollen. VOGA at St Donats. Travellers Gallery, Barry Summer Show. 2009, Arts and Crafts Tradefair/Exhibition, Washington Gallery, Penarth. Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant. VOGA Dyffryn Gardens Heritage Weekend. The Gate Summer Open Exhibition. 'Art in Process' Washington Gallery, Penarth. 'View of the Vale' Travellers Gallery, Barry. 'Art in the Highstreet' and Farthings, Cowbridge. 2008, 'Art in the Vale' Old Hall, Cowbridge. VOGA 'Internationalism' St Donats Arts Centre. VOGA Twin Towns touring exhibition, Rheinfelden, Fécamp, Barry. VOGA at Eisteddfod, Cardiff. 2007, The Gate Art Centre. Travellers Gallery Summer Exhibition, Barry. Artinit, Mundy Arts Centre, Pontypridd. Tactile Bosch Apolotic Eye with the Fourcettes Group Selected Artists. Vale Ceramics and Ewenny pottery with the Vale Mayors collection, Art Central Gallery, Barry (and Vale of Glamorgan collection piece). Womens Arts Association, Welsh Assembly and International Womens Day exhibition, Art Central Gallery, Barry. Opening exhibition Sop Y Lor selected exhibitors. 2006, Christmas Crafts, Dyffryn Gardens.

Please see my personal entry on www.VOGAexposed.blogspot.com
www.vogadyffryn.blogspot.com

Melinae Forse