A POWERFUL new exhibition at Newport’s Riverfront Gallery brings together young people and the local community to celebrate and reimagine the River Usk.
‘Abounding with fish? A youth-led mapping of the River Usk’ runs this November 5 to 14, showcasing a large-scale living map of the River Usk. Created by 21 young people aged 12-30 and over 200 Usk Valley residents, it records what people love about the river, what’s changed, and hopes for its restoration.
The River Usk’s Welsh name, “Afon Wysg,” is thought to derive from a word meaning “river abounding in fish”, lending the exhibition its title. But with two thirds of the UK’s rivers and canals in a moderate to bad ecological state1, this is more than an exhibition, it is a call to reflect, connect and take action.
Calum, age 16, said:“I think it’s been really inspiring seeing young people come together over a common issue. Speaking to people it’s been good to see that they know the river’s health is quite bad, and they want to help.”
Alongside the painted, drawn and embroidered fabric map, spanning more than three meters, visitors can enjoy a short film created by young filmmakers exploring the map’s creation and impact on its creators. The exhibition also includes artwork and installations inspired by and exploring people’s connection to the River Usk. These include cyanotype prints and woven riverscapes made from wool donated by local farmers.
Together, these artworks offer a shared portrait of hope for the Usk’s future, providing visitors with the information and tools to return to their communities and take action to restore their own waterways.
Hannibal Rhoades, Land-based Projects and Policy Lead for Action for Conservation, said: “By creating this big, beautiful, living map, young people from the Usk Valley have placed the river back at the heart of our thinking about land, nature, food production and how we live in this valley.
“Our rivers are a reflection of the health of the land and our communities. The Usk Catchment Map clearly documents the wonder and joy the river still holds for people, but also the decline in wildlife and water quality.
“It holds up a mirror to the decisionmakers and land-users of today and asks: ‘are we satisfied with the legacy we are leaving future generations?’”
Ellen Wilson, Peak Co-Director: Young People & Programme, said: “Young People living in the Usk Valley tell us that they want to explore how creativity can help them shape positive change – for themselves, their communities, and the natural world.
“This project has brought all these elements together, with the Usk itself guiding our work and helping us to imagine what the future could look like for the valley and the communities who live within it.”
The exhibition, initiated by filmmaker Ben Roberts, is organised by Action for Conservation and Peak Cymru. It marks the launch of Action for Conservation’s new £250,000 project, Llifo/Flow, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Partnering with Peak Cymru, Landed Futures and the Usk Catchment Partnership, Action for Conservation is working with Young People to restore the River Usk, encouraging decision-makers to embrace community knowledge and youth leadership in the design, development and delivery of nature restoration efforts on Welsh rivers.
The exhibition runs from November 4 – 14 at the Riverfront Theatre in Newport. Admittance is free. For more information click here.
