After lunch, Caroline and I parted ways, while Rachel and Jerry and I took the opportunity to visit the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea to see Art in the Sky: An Exhibition of International Contemporary Art Kites.
It turned out to be a lovely, calm and peaceful way to spend the afternoon, taking time to admire the remarkable sculptures, structures and delicate details of the exhibition.
A trip down memory lane
Visiting the Glynn Vivian was also rather special for me personally.
It was lovely to be back in an environment that was once so familiar during my time at Art & Design College in Swansea and Cardiff. I also lived for many years within a short walking distance of the gallery, so returning brought back plenty of memories.
Walking through the gallery again made me realise just how much I had missed it!
There is something quite comforting about returning to a place that formed part of your life many years ago. Although exhibitions and displays change, the feeling of being surrounded by creativity and art remains.
Art in the Sky
Art in the Sky brings together contemporary art kites from international artists, transforming the traditional idea of a kite into something much more artistic and sculptural.
The exhibition explores how artists use kites to investigate movement, wind, nature, materials and the relationship between earth and sky. Some of the works are large and striking, while others are incredibly delicate.
What really caught my attention was the craftsmanship involved.
Some of the structures looked so fragile that it was hard to imagine them actually being able to fly. Yet that delicacy is part of their beauty. The combination of lightweight materials, careful construction and aerodynamic design creates something that sits somewhere between sculpture, engineering and traditional kite making.
More than just a kite
The exhibition explains that kites have been used for more than 2,000 years across different cultures. They have had practical, cultural, spiritual and playful roles, from communication and measurement to ritual and entertainment.
Art in the Sky takes this long history and gives it a contemporary twist.
Artists from countries including Japan, Austria, Bali and England bring their own experiences, traditions and ideas to the exhibition. Their work demonstrates how something as familiar as a kite can become a sophisticated piece of contemporary art.
Among the artists featured are Yoh Yasuda from Japan, Anna Rubin from Austria, Kadek Armika from Bali and Frances Anderson from England, alongside other contemporary artists and works from private collections.
I particularly enjoyed seeing how different each artist’s approach could be. There was no single idea of what a contemporary art kite should look like.
Looking closely at the details
For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of the visit was simply taking the time to look.
The structures invited you to notice the shapes, materials and construction. Some were almost architectural, while others felt much more organic.
There was also something peaceful about seeing these representations of flight displayed within the gallery environment. The idea of a kite normally makes you think of an open sky, wind and movement, yet here these works were suspended and displayed for us to appreciate from a completely different perspective.
It made me think about how art can change our perception of everyday objects.
A kite can be something we remember from childhood, something flown for fun, or something connected to particular cultural traditions. Here, however, it becomes a vehicle for artistic expression.
Artists, culture and the natural world
One of the strengths of the exhibition is the international perspective.
Yoh Yasuda (Japan) explores the cultural and environmental meanings of wind through kite-making, installation and research, drawing on traditions from Japan, Indonesia and the Pacific Islands.
Anna Rubin (Austria) combines material knowledge with the laws of flight. Her sculptural kites explore the relationship between art, technology, freedom and nature, with the work coming to life when it enters the air.
Kadek Armika (Bali) combines traditional Balinese kite-making with contemporary sculpture. His wind-responsive works explore structure, movement, aerodynamics and the spiritual connection between earth and sky.
Frances Anderson (England) creates work inspired by water, movement, memory and place. Her kites use wind and air to create a dialogue between artwork and the natural environment.
Nida Sinnokrot (Palestine/USA) is a multimedia artist whose work explores how systems, technologies and ideas shape our understanding of time, space and the world around us. Drawing on cinema, history and technology, his work encourages us to look at familiar systems and ideas from a different perspective.
Together, these artists demonstrate how contemporary kite art can connect traditional craft with sculpture, technology, nature, culture and the environment, transforming something familiar into a fascinating form of artistic expression.
A quiet afternoon well spent
Our visit wasn’t rushed.
After lunch, it was lovely to slow down, wander around the gallery and simply take everything in. Sometimes the best museum and gallery visits are not about trying to see absolutely everything, but about finding a few pieces that catch your attention and giving yourself time to appreciate them.
For me, Art in the Sky provided exactly that experience.
The exhibition was calm and peaceful, but there was still plenty to discover. The delicate structures, unusual forms and incredible craftsmanship made it an enjoyable afternoon for all of us.
And, of course, returning to the Glynn Vivian made the visit even more meaningful for me personally.
It was a little trip back into my past while discovering something completely new.
Visiting Art in the Sky
Art in the Sky: An Exhibition of International Contemporary Art Kites runs at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea from Friday 19 June until Sunday 27 September 2026, with the gallery open from 10:00am to 4:30pm.
The exhibition has been curated by Isabel Griffin and brings together international artists exploring the possibilities of contemporary art kites.
Alongside the exhibition, the gallery is also presenting talks, workshops and other events connected with kite making and flying.
For full exhibition information, events and visitor details, visit the official Glynn Vivian Art Gallery – Art in the Sky exhibition page.
Final thoughts
Our visit to the Glynn Vivian was a lovely addition to the day.
It was peaceful, interesting and, for me, unexpectedly nostalgic. Seeing the delicate kite structures and sculptures was a reminder that contemporary art can take inspiration from the simplest of ideas and turn them into something extraordinary.
Most importantly, though, it was simply lovely to be back.
After spending so many years living close to the Glynn Vivian and having my own connection with Art & Design, I realised just how much I had missed being surrounded by art.
Sometimes a visit isn’t just about the exhibition you go to see.
Sometimes, it’s also about the memories a place brings back.
Useful Links
- Glynn Vivian Art Gallery – Find out more about the gallery, current exhibitions, events and visitor information. Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
- Art in the Sky: An Exhibition of International Contemporary Art Kites – Full exhibition information, artists and accompanying events. Art in the Sky exhibition
- Glynn Vivian Art Gallery – Visitor Information – The gallery is located on Alexandra Road, Swansea, SA1 5DZ, with general opening hours of Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00am–4:30pm.
- Swansea Council – Culture and Attractions – Information about cultural venues and attractions across Swansea. Swansea Council
Location
Address: Alexandra Rd, Swansea SA1 5DZ