The Modern Face of Co-ops in Wales
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The Modern Face of Co-ops in Wales
This photograph exhibition features work from contemporary Welsh photographers created from 2015-2021. Presented by the Wales Co-operative Centre to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Owen, it brings together the work of artists whose images feature co-operative businesses building a stronger, fairer, more co-operative Wales.
14th May, 2021 marks the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Owen in Newtown, Powys. A Welsh textile manufacturer, philanthropist and social reformer, Owen was one founder of socialism and the co-operative movement. Throughout his life, he championed workers’ rights, led the development of co-operatives and the trade union movement, and supported the passage of child labour laws, free education and early-years child-care.
Owen’s legacy is alive today, carried on by the 474 independent co-op businesses which currently exist in Wales and the countless community groups which operate in accordance with values such as self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity.
At a time when there is considerable interest in ‘building back better’ and taking a more co-operative approach to community regeneration and economic development, the photographs reflect a vibrant and dynamic movement which is already present in Wales. The works presented here challenge the perception that co-operation and co-operatives are a historical idea which died out in the mid-twentieth century. In a post-Covid environment, it is imperative that we understand the modern relevance of the co-operative movement, and these works provide an opportunity for that conversation.
Wyneb Modern Cwmnïau Cydweithredol yng Nghymru
Mae’r arddangosfa hon yn cynnwys gwaith a grëwyd rhwng 2015-2021 gan ffotograffwyr cyfoes o Gymru. Cyflwynir yr arddangosfa gan Ganolfan Cydweithredol Cymru i ddathlu 250 mlynedd ers genedigaeth Robert Owen, ac mae’n gasgliad o waith artistiaid sy’n cynnwys busnesau cydweithredol sy’n adeiladu Cymru gryfach, decach a mwy cydweithredol.
Ar 14 Mai 2021, byddwn yn cofio 250 mlynedd ers y ganwyd Robert Owen yn Y Drenewydd, Powys. Roedd Owen yn Gymro a oedd yn gynhyrchwr tecstilau, yn ddyngarwr ac yn ddiwygiwr cymdeithasol, ac roedd yn un o sylfaenwyr y mudiad cwmnïau cydweithredol a sosialaeth. Trwy gydol ei fywyd, bu’n hyrwyddo hawliau gweithwyr, gan arwain datblygiad cwmnïau cydweithredol a’r symudiad undebau llafur, a chefnogodd y cam o basio cyfreithiau llafur plant, gofal plant yn ystod y blynyddoedd cynnar ac addysg am ddim.
Mae syniadaeth Owen yn fyw heddiw, ac mae’n cael ei harddel gan y 474 o fusnesau cydweithredol annibynnol sy’n bodoli yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd, a’r grwpiau cymunedol dirifedi sy’n gweithredu yn unol â gwerthoedd megis hunangymorth, hunan-gyfrifoldeb, democratiaeth, cydraddoldeb, tegwch a chydgefnogaeth.
Ar adeg pan welir diddordeb sylweddol mewn ‘ail-adeiladu er gwell’ a mabwysiadu dull mwy cydweithredol tuag at adfywio cymunedol a datblygiad economaidd, mae’r ffotograffau’n adlewyrchu mudiad dynamig a ffyniannus sydd eisoes yn bresennol yng Nghymru. Mae’r gwaith a gyflwynir yma yn herio’r dybiaeth mai syniad hanesyddol a welwyd yn darfod yng nghanol yr ugeinfed ganrif yw cydweithredu a chwmnïau cydweithredol. Mewn amgylchedd ar ôl Covid, mae’n hollbwysig ein bod yn deall perthnasedd modern y symudiad cydweithredol, ac mae’r gwaith hwn yn cynnig cyfle i gynnal y sgwrs honno.
Find out more about the life and legacy of Robert Owen here:-
https://www.robertowenmuseum.co.uk/robert-owen
Read more about Robert Owen :-
Overview of the life of Robert Owen https://www.robertowenmuseum.co.uk/overview
Early life of Robert Owen https://www.robertowenmuseum.co.uk/early-life
About Robert Owen https://www.robertowenmuseum.co.uk/about
Robert Owen in 300 words https://www.robertowenmuseum.co.uk/300-words