Brilliant artworks hidden in a set of Cardiff bollards have been stolen. Black and white characters have been visible through the peepholes of metal posts in the city centre since 2010 — but only eight of the 11 bollards remain in place.
The posts, which cost £30,000 to be installed in the Hayes, are often cited among Cardiff's best public art. Two of the pieces have been stolen while another has been vandalised — and although Cardiff Council says a spare can be swapped in for one missing bollard and the vandalised one is being refurbished, there is also one that will not be replaced.
Local tour guide Tony Lloyd, who runs the 'Difflomats' Facebook page, said he warned Cardiff Council in January that screws were missing in one of the bollards and he feared it would be stolen. Seven weeks later he was showing European tourists around the area when he saw the top of the post — the part containing the artwork — had been taken. It turned out the council had temporarily removed the piece to prevent further vandalism or theft.
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But a second bollard and the top of a third have been stolen. "It is quite an embarrassment for tourists and visitors to see," said Mr Lloyd. The 70-year-old added that the "unsightly" tape patch-ups need improvement but he is glad the council has shown concern over the "brazen" thefts.
A council spokesman said: “Plans are being developed with the artist to ensure that as many of these unique bollards as possible are replaced and refurbished. Although two of the bollards commissioned by St David’s Shopping Centre are missing, we are hopeful that following refurbishment we will be in a position to replace all but one of these unique artworks.”
Part of a wider £1.5m scheme, the artworks were created by artist Jane Edden and students at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The 'Post Secrets' bollards display the words "Edrychwch tu fewn / look inside" in orange text above tiny windows. When you look through you can see monochrome characters in various poses.
Ms Edden took pictures of drama students to create the monochrome scenes. She previously told WalesOnline: “Some of these environments seem to transcend the space that can be perceived to be within the bollards. This interplay with the interior and exterior space is designed to create the feeling of looking into another place or world.”
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