Musicians donate in memory of 'king of upcycling'

A military jacket worn by Welsh singer Cerys Matthews has been donated to a fundraising event for late artist Dominic Gubb

Some of Wales' biggest rock stars and artists have donated items in tribute to an eccentric sculptor, hailed the "king of upcycling", who has died.

Manic Street Preachers, Cerys Matthews and Skindred have given some of their memorabilia for an event in memory of Dominic Gubb.

The 54-year-old, renowned for sculptures of dogs from reclaimed waste including ropes, leather sofas and wood, died in 2022.

"Dom used to joke he'd literally make money from old rope," said wife Helen.

The father-of-three's work has been hailed for inspiring "a generation of Welsh artists" such as rock star-turned artist Carl Bevan.

Gubb helped and collaborated with Bevan, drummer of 1990s punk band 60ft Dolls, to put on his first exhibitions after leaving rock'n'roll for art.

Such was Gubb's impact on Bevan's new career, the musician is putting on event in Cardiff on Saturday where celebrated Welsh painters Kevin Sinnott and Meinir Mathias have also donated their work to auction.

"One of the things I loved about Dom's work was that he said he created it to make people smile," said Bevan.

"There were no bold, high concept statements and that struck a chord with me as a relatively new, self-taught artist. It was about getting a buzz when your art emotionally connects with people."

Dominic Gubb's dog Ronnie was the inspiration for many of his sculptures

Bevan and Gubb were doing their third exhibition together in Cardiff in December 2022 when the sculptor died suddenly.

"He was the king of upcycling before it became a thing," said Helen, his wife of almost 30 years.

"Dominic could see the beauty in what you or I might consider old rubbish and he'd turn it into a beautiful sculpture."

Dominic Gubb was renowned for making sculptures of dogs from anything from rope to iron

Helen believes Dominic's sculpting career started after he made art from some Harodds carrier bags and went on to craft bespoke dog sculpture commissions for proud pet owners.

The creations of the former art teacher, who worked at a secondary school in Merthyr Tydfil for 30 years, were inspired by his own beloved dog Ronnie.

"I remember once him coming home from school with some condemned gym ropes and he'd make a rope dog," added Helen.

"Then once he saw a discarded leather settee on the street and he'd think I can make that into a dog - and did! Nothing was ever wasted."

Manic Street Preachers have donated signed items to go under the hammer

Now some of Wales' biggest music acts have given memorabilia for an event to celebrate Gubb, as well as raising funds for homelessness charity Llamau and a fund set up in his memory by his former school Afon Taf.

Singer Cerys Matthews has given a military jacket, a signed vinyl box set bundle from Manic Street Preachers will also go under the hammer while rockers Skindred have offered VIP gig tickets and signed sunglasses from frontman Benji Webbe.

Rocker-turned-artist Carl Bevan said Dominic Gubb was a guiding light and huge support for him in his new career

Artists Kevin Sinnott, John Langford and Meinir Mathias have donated pieces as well as originals from host artist Carl in an auction by BBC DJ Huw Stephens.

There will also be live music at Saturday afternoon's auction at the Flowerhorn taproom at Ely Bridge.