THE NATIONAL GALLERY UNVEILS A NEW ARTWORK HONOURING WELSH SLATE'S CWT-Y-BUGAIL QUARRY
4 December 2025
The National Gallery in London has revealed a new artwork honouring Welsh Slate’s Cwt-y-Bugail Quarry (Manod) for the safeguarding of Britain’s paintings during World War II.
When war broke out, the gallery relocated its collection to Cwt-y-Bugail Quarry (Manod) in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, to ensure their protection.
For four years, the artworks were stored inside small brick huts built within the quarry’s caverns, before returning to London after the war ended.
The commemorative tablet, crafted from slate sourced at Cwt-y-Bugail (Manod) is inscribed in both Welsh and English.
The inscription reads: “Daw’r llechen hon o chwarel Manod yng Ngogledd Cymru lle cafodd paentiadau’r Oriel Genedlaethol eu diogelu yn ystod yr Ail Ryfel Byd.” “This slate is from Manod quarry in North Wales where the National Gallery’s paintings were protected during World War II.”
Shaun Denny, Welsh Slate’s planning manager attended a reception to celebrate the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the Gallery’s close relationship with Manod Quarry during the Second World War.
Sir Gabriele Finaldi, director of the National Gallery, said the tablet served as a reminder of the crucial moment "the nation's paintings were secreted in caves in the slate hills of north Wales to preserve them for future generations".
Sir Gabriele Finaldi visited Cwt-y-Bugail Quarry in the summer and is possibly one of the last visitors to ever access the mines.
Dr Kath Davies, of Amgueddfa Cymru, described it as a "fantastic" project commemorating an important historic event which also preserved "traditional Welsh craft and heritage".
Conceived by artist Jeremy Deller and designed and carved by John Neilson, the tablet was commissioned by Mostyn gallery, Llandudno, and supported by the National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales (CELF).
The Manod Slate Tablet will be on permanent display in the Portico Vestibule of the National Gallery.
Photo: Left to right, Jane Phimester and Rob Sutton (Cotswold Archaeology), Sir Gabriele Finaldi (National Gallery), Lara Band (Cotswold Archaeology), Shaun Denny (Welsh Slate) and Karl Roberts (Welsh Slate)
Paintings on Route to Manod quarry; Photo: The National Gallery, London
