Former Coleg Menai Student, Manon Awst, is Representing Wales at the 2026 Venice Biennale
Manon is showcasing Welsh art on a world stage at a prestigious cultural exhibition in Italy. Established in 1895, the Venice Biennale features art, architecture, cinema, dance, music and theatre.
Manon collaborated with fellow Welsh artist Dylan Huw on a project called Sownd, which is now open to the public as part of the 61st International Art Exhibition in Venice. Housed in the historic Instituto Santa Maria della Pietà, Sownd will run until November 2026 and is free for anyone to visit.
Sownd marks the tenth time Wales has taken part in this celebration of international art at the Venice Biennale, the largest visual arts exhibition in the world.
A Welsh word that can mean both “stuck” and “foundationally sound”, Sownd explores this contrast. Everything within the space is sculptural, including language, and the exhibition uses natural materials, found objects and sound to create an immersive environment.
The artists were inspired by the geology of the Welsh peatlands, and Sownd features materials from this landscape, with sites across Wales running alongside the exhibition in Venice.
Wales in Venice is commissioned and managed by Arts Council of Wales and Wales Arts International, with support from Welsh Government. Sownd is jointly led by two Welsh galleries, Oriel Myrddin in Carmarthen and Oriel Davies in Newtown.
Manon said: “Cymru yn Fenis provides an opportunity of a lifetime, and I'm thrilled to be working with Dylan, Oriel Davies and Oriel Myrddin on Sownd. Our project sparks dialogue between the wet, sticky landscapes of Wales and Venice, forming new collaborative pathways for sculpting language and material. It will be an honour to share the work with international audiences as a Collateral Event at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia and locally across Wales.”
Manon took an Art Foundation course at Coleg Menai in 2001 before progressing to the University of Cambridge to study architecture.
Based in Caernarfon, she makes sculptures and site-specific artworks woven with ecological narratives. Keeping strong ties with the college, Manon has also returned to teach Contextual Studies on the BA Fine art course at Coleg Menai.
Paul Edwards, Creative Arts Programme Area Manager at Coleg Menai, said:
“We are truly proud of Manon's achievements, and have followed her career closely over the years as her success has grown. Manon has always been a good advocate for the college, and the Art Foundation course in particular, and has been willing to share her experiences with current learners via masterclasses/guest speaker visits, as well as opening our annual exhibition. We wish Manon all the best with the 'Sownd' exhibition at the prestigious Venice Biennale”
Are you interested in a career in the arts? Discover our range of art and creative courses for both school leavers and adults here: https://www.gllm.ac.uk/courses/art-and-design-and-photography
Your creative journey might start at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, but there is no limit to where it can take you.