Iola Edwards

Iola Edwards was born in Ghana in 1987, while her father, the Welsh sculptor John Meirion Morris, was working at Kumasi University.

She grew up in Aberystwyth and, predominantly, in Llanuwchllyn, the Welsh village of her father’s forebears. The village’s rich cultural traditions, including choral singing, literature and poetry, played an important role in her upbringing. Her family placed great emphasis on the arts and on an appreciation of Welsh heritage, including the ancient legends of the Mabinogion.

Iola studied at Bangor College, where, as part of her teacher training, she developed her interest in encouraging creativity through the arts and worked with children in schools.

Her artistic practice is deeply rooted in her connection to Wales and its landscape. Through her work, Iola seeks to capture the magical atmosphere, mood and sense of place found in the landscapes of her native Merioneth, drawing on the cultural heritage and natural beauty that have shaped her throughout her life.