National Eisteddfod Purchase Prize
Since 2004, CASW has been supporting the purchase and exhibition of the work of more established artists in Wales. Each year, the curator of a gallery or museum local to the National Eisteddfod selects a work of art to enter its collection.
No prize was awarded in 2020 as the National Eisteddfod was cancelled owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
CASW National Eisteddfod Purchase Prize 2025
This year’s Eisteddfod purchase prize was awarded to North Wales-based Lesley James in conjunction with Wrexham’s Ty Pawb art centre, where her work will be displayed.
Lesley’s Darn bach o’r Cefn I (A Little Piece of the Cefn, 2025) pays tribute to the high-quality terracotta bricks manufactured by JC Edwards, formerly based in Wrexham, which were used in buildings such as the Birmingham Assize Courts, Cardiff’s Pierhead and Liverpool University’s Victoria Building.
Darn bach o’r Cefn I, mounted in a lightbox, incorporates rubbings of bricks manufactured by JC Edwards’ in graphite and acrylic paperwork.
CASW National Eisteddfod Purchase Prize 2024
A work by Jo Berry was selected for the CASW Purchase Prize 2024 at the National Eisteddfod, which this year took place in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Jo Berry, Untitled (2023), acrylic on canvas
This work, selected by curator Zoe Gingell, will form part of the public art collection of Oriel y Bont, University of South Wales.
CASW National Eisteddfod Purchase Prize 2023
The works of two artists were selected for the CASW Purchase Prize 2023 at the National Eisteddfod, which this year took place in Boduan on the Llŷn peninsula.
Jonathan Retallick, At Home in the Hills & Decay, both oil on canvas
Shauna Taylor, First Kiss & Baby’s First Pint, both oil on panel
These artworks, selected by curator Gwyn Jones, will form part of the public art collection of Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli.
CASW National Eisteddfod Purchase Prize 2022
The first National Eisteddfod since the pandemic took place this year in Tregaron. Two works were selected for the CASW Purchase Prize 2022.
Natalia Dias, Blodeuwedd, porcelain and oak
Seán Vicary, Sitelines, HD video and animation
These artworks, selected by curator Morfudd Bevan, will become part of the public art collection of the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
CASW National Eisteddfod Purchase Prize 2019
Three works were selected for the CASW Purchase Prize 2019 at the National Eisteddfod in Llanrwst.
Glyn Baines, Harddwch didymhorau, collage on board
Glyn Baines, Llonyddwch effro, collage on board
Bev Bell-Hughes, Cuddiedig/Hidden, ceramic
These artworks selected by Sian Young, Conwy’s Arts Development Officer, will be exhibited at Conwy Culture Centre in Conwy town
CASW National Eisteddfod Purchase Prize 2018
Andrew Renton for the National Museum of Wales chose the CASW Purchase Prize 2018 at the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff. The work selected is An Archive of Longing (Material Presence) by Zoe Preece. The work is made up of a number of porcelain pieces of various dimensions.
CASW National Eisteddfod Purchase Prize 2017
Oriel Ynys Môn chose the CASW Purchase Prize 2017 at the Anglesey National Eisteddfod in Bodedern. The work selected is Ceffyl Jacques/Jacques’ Horse by Stephen West. It is a large charcoal drawing on four panels 150 x 300 cms.
Stephen describes the work:
‘I was looking at prehistoric art, cave painting, and also at Chinese landscape painting and ink on silk works. I think of the drawing as a contemporary cave painting, in charcoal, the oldest painting medium, and cut up the drawing into four panels partly to make it easier for frame and transport and partly as a nod to the multi-panel work of Chinese artists, like folding screens.’
Sitelines (2022)
Sean Vicary
HD video and animation