“The Heart of the Nation” is an original piece of artwork now available as a Limited Edition Giclee Print framed 514 x 424mm (unframed 364 x 274mm) created by Ian Mackenzie.
 
This artwork is framed in a traditional 3 inch black wooden surround with a light coloured insert. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity which is signed and verified by the artist.
 
The Story Behind"The Heart of the Nation"
 
The miners and quarry workers have for many generations, dug into the mountains of Wales, pulling from it the materials that gave this nation its heritage and wealth. Wales supplied slate and coal to countries all over the world, becoming known as the country that ‘roofed the 19th Century world’ and provided the ‘Bread of Heaven’ for many Welsh families.
 
However, this is not all that Wales is recognized for.
 
Mining and excavating the Welsh land have taken place throughout our long history and is embedded deep into our culture. In folklore, a Celtic king by the name of Vortigern dug into the hillside of Dinas Emrys to build the foundations of a castle. 
 
There, in an underground lake, he came across two duelling dragons, one white, one red. Some say that this was the prophesy of the coming of King Arthur.
 
In 1945, an excavation took place at Dinas Emrys, and evidence of a lake and a fortress which dated back to the times of Vortigern were discovered. 
 
Look closely at this artwork and perhaps, this folklore is truer of our heritage than most believe. And maybe our greatest icon is in fact real after all ……
 
Look closely, very closely!