Grogg sculpture of Mervyn Davies wearing Red Wales jersey with P.O.W. feathers on breast and white headband. Height 9" (22.86 cm). Hand painted. Engraved Mervyn Davies signature to front of base. Reverse has hand painted information: "LIMITED EDITION #8/38 CAP No8 WALES 6 SOUTH AFRICA 6 24th JANUARY 1970 CARDIFF ARMS PARK" Engraved signature by artist: Richard Hughes and "World of Groggs" motif beneath.
This enormous canvas (top) by Percy Gleaves (1882-1944) hangs on the landing of Singleton Abbey, having recently been restored.
Before laying the foundation stone (bottom left), King George V presents the Royal Charter to Frank Gilbertson, first President of the University College of Swansea. The foundation stone was subsequently “lost” in the Swansea Corporation yard for 17 years [15, p. 89] until it was re-laid in the wall of the 1937 Library (bottom right), the first purpose-built permanent building to be constructed on the campus.
The hefty chains holding the stone suggest industrial heavy engineering – not inappropriate to the founders of the institution. The sunny parkland setting and rather naive style of the painting add to the air of symbolism.
