AN EBBW Vale artist will appear on Sky Arts tonight to win the chance to create the UK’s next ‘landmark’.
Nathan Wyburn is among three contestants in the Welsh heat of the series Landmark, which airs at 8pm on Sky Arts and Freeview channel 11, or on demand. 
He chose as his sculpture for the heat a piece he created to honour the victims of the Aberfan disaster.
“To be one of the three chosen to represent Wales is amazing,” said Mr Wyburn, who is currently exhibiting work in Rome. 
“And to be here in Rome, representing Wales, as a Welsh artist in a foreign country, is such a big thing and I am proud to do it.”

South Wales Argus:

“They gave the three of us a budget to make something that represents the nation. I think they were expecting something big and flamboyant like a Shirley Bassey piece, but I wanted to take the opportunity and the money to do something I had never done before and wanted to make a tribute.
“I can’t find something more hard-hitting than what happened in 1966, and I wanted to do something for that.”

South Wales Argus:

The memorial sculpture - called ‘21.10.1966 144 9.13am’ in reference to the time, date and number of victims at Aberfan - is currently on display at Rhondda Heritage Park.
During its creation, Mr Wyburn met relatives of a man called Johnny, a miner who the statue is based on. 

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“I got the chance while we were filming to be able to meet some of his family and hear more about him. I felt I had to, not just to find out more, but to get permission to do this. 
“I’m not sure how much is going to be shown on the episode, but we went to the memorial, and they told me about him.

South Wales Argus:

“He worked in the mine. He had just left after a night shift and was at home getting ready to go to bed when he got a call telling him what happened.

"He was one of the first people on the scene and spent days digging trying to find survivors. It made it more personal after hearing his story.
“I chose to use one clock for every victim, all stopped at 9.13 which is the time the landslide hit the school.”

South Wales Argus: Charlotte Church with Nathan Wyburn's statueCharlotte Church with Nathan Wyburn's statue

The winner of the Welsh heat - judges include guest judge

Charlotte Church - will join winners from five other UK regions in the grand final for a chance for their work to be made into a permanent fixture in Coventry, the 2021 City of Culture.