Learning Welsh, painting and... cycling!

Lara Davies is originally from Maesteg, but now lives in London.

Lara moved to London to study a master’s degree in Painting at the Royal College of Art.  She now works as an artist and works full-time for Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum Wales). Lara is currently following an Uwch (Advanced) course with Learn Welsh Pembrokeshire, run by Pembrokeshire County Council on behalf of the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

We had a chat with Lara to hear more about her story.

When did you start learning Welsh?

I did GCSE Welsh a long time ago, but when I started working for Amgueddfa Cymru, I began learning Welsh again. So, I’ve been learning Welsh for six years.

What or who encouraged you to start learning?

The main reason I started learning again is because my nieces and nephew go to a Welsh-medium primary school in Cardiff, and I’d like to speak to them in Welsh.

You work for Amgueddfa Cymru – what’s your job?

I work as a Research Coordinator in the museum’s Research Department, and since the pandemic, I’ve been working from home. My job is really interesting because I help run events like the annual research symposium. It also works very well with my role as an artist, because I can work from my studio in Hackney Wick in London.

You’re also an artist – can you describe your work for us?

Well, in 2023 I cycled from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in Scotland. I was following in the footsteps of my great-aunt, who made the journey solo on horseback in 1949, when she was only 24 years old.

After doing the journey, I wanted to keep the memories alive, so I painted pictures to remember the trip. Paintings of the landscape – the canvas surface had lost its colour, like an old photo or old film.

My paintings are like a legacy from the journey – they capture the emotions and the magic I felt at the time. I continue to paint pictures after cycling adventures, and now, cycling and painting go hand in hand.

Can you tell me more about the 'Chasing the Sun' cycling challenge?

Last year, I was on the train back to London after completing the ‘Dragon Ride’ cycling

challenge in the Brecon Beacons – and someone asked me if I’d heard of ‘Chase the Sun’. I hadn’t, so I did a bit of research. It sounded amazing! 200 miles from the east to the west of Britain, starting at sunrise and finishing before sunset.

Then I saw the film Chase the Sun in the cinema, and after that, I knew I had to do it.

I had a great time and made a new friend – we cycled the whole way together. We started at 4.30am and finished in Weston-Super-Mare at 8.45pm – 45 minutes before sunset.

We did really well, to be honest! My legs felt great, but I did take a three-day break from my bike afterwards!

What do you enjoy most about speaking Welsh?

A couple of months ago, a Welsh-speaking artist was exhibiting his work in London, so we spoke in Welsh with each other, and it was so satisfying.

Also, when I was at art college, there were people there from all over the world, and for most of them, English was a second language.

I felt so proud that I could also speak the language of my country, as well as English.