Tumblin' Cherubs a.k.a. The Fanfares

Fanfare I

The climbing and tumbling cherubs on the tower of the building opposite the Grand Theatre are the work of Robin Campbell and follow the idea that some of the cherubs found decorating the dress circle balcony in the theatre have run away from there to explore the outside city. The artwork dates from 1984.

The plaque, featured above, is known as Fanfare I and was added to the tower in 1987.

Quadrant Bus Station At Dusk

Off Nelson Street

Since starting this Swansea blog, I have become quite intrigued by some of the less noticed avenues down the sides and behind the city centre shops. This one, off Nelson Street is particularly picturesque, in an urban bauhaus kind of way:

Gershwins, Nelson Street

The Mond Building

This large Portland Stone building is known as The Mond and was designed by the architeckt C. T. Ruthen. Ruthen also designed a few other buildings of note in Swansea, including the old Carlton Cinerma (currently Waterstones) and the old Exchange building near Swansea Marina. . The building is Edwardian baroque in style and dominates Union and Park Street in the city centre.

The Mond was built in 1911 by Sir Alfred Mond and designed to be the Swansea headquarters of the National Legue of Young Liberals. It is now a Listed building.

Forno

Gothic High Street

Dylan Thomas Needs a Nosejob

Titled 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Octupus', Peter Fowler's large 9 x 6 metre artwork fronts the old nightclub The Venue and was commissioned as part of the city's 2014 celebrations of the Dylan Thomas Centenary in 2014.

The artwork features the poet along with with an eclectic and rather curious mix of images the painter, and local children he worked with on the project, identified as being iconic to Swansea and to Dylan's writing.

Peter Fowler's 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Octupus'

Sadly, the piece, only 2 years old, is starting to appear a little worse for wear. Hopefully it can be fixed up as it would be sad to loose this public art from the city.

Dylan Thomas' nose in need of a little cosmetic work

The 99p Shop is No More

The 99p shop, which was located opposite Poundland on Oxford Street, is no more. And guess what is going to replace it  - another Poundland. That makes two large Poundland stores right across from each other. Hmm - isn't it great to see so much variety in the shops here!

Another Shop Closure

Yet another shop closure in the city centre:

And notice one of the advertised features promoting the move out of the city shopping centre - free parking. Parking in Swansea is way too expensive and it is way too cumbersome driving around looking for somewhere to park.

Plans may be afoot to reinvigorate Swansea's shopping centre, but it is still sad seeing it deteriorate so fast at the current time.

Espresso Bar, Swansea High Street