Marion Cheung
Unveiling Marion Cheung’s The Light That Follows: Usk to Estuary in the Newport Engagement Hub
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Creating this painting was enriched by the chance to access the rooftop terrace as a Stiwdio member – to witness the ever-changing weather and tides from such distinctive vantage points. It's an honour to see the work now placed in its perfect home.
The University of South Wales’ Newport Engagement Hub is now home to a new and striking piece of contemporary art. On display is The Light That Follows: Usk to Estuary, a painting by fine artist and creative facilitator, and Startup Stiwdio member, Marion Cheung. Marion’s practice explores the powerful connection between creativity, wellbeing, and community.
About the Artist
Marion began her career in the early ’90s as a commercial print designer in London before moving to Wales in 2004. At USW’s City Campus, she taught digital illustration while building her passion for participatory arts, later completing a PGCE PcET and an MA in Arts Practice (Art, Health, and Wellbeing) at USW. Now a member of Startup Stiwdio, she balances her freelance practice with projects that use creativity to improve mental health, spark self-expression, and connect communities.
From River to Canvas
In November 2024, Marion was selected to create a painting for the National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales, part of the Celf ar y Cyd initiative. Her commission, inspired by the Afon Wysg (River Usk), is now part of the gallery’s national collection, currently held at Newport Museum and Art Gallery.
The experience of working in series during the commission inspired Marion to continue exploring the river theme. Her creative process involved sketching the river from multiple perspectives—including from the top floor of USW’s Newport campus and within the Engagement Hub itself—along with a series of photographs and drone shots capturing aerial views. These unusual perspectives fed into her studio work, where she developed ideas boards and a colour palette influenced by Newport’s industrial heritage and ever-changing weather.
The Painting: The Light That Follows: Usk to Estuary
The artwork unveiled at the Engagement Hub builds on this series. Its title, discovered through Marion’s use of creative writing, imagines nature reclaiming Newport’s industrial landscape and transforming it into something awe-inspiring.
Marion’s distinctive process involves applying paint in thin glazes, combining acrylic’s versatility with techniques that echo oil painting and mono-printing. The finished piece brings together recognisable landscape forms with abstract shapes, textures, and gilded details. Gold leaf and antiquated effects are scratched back through a palette of burnt orange, desaturated blues, and charcoal greys—creating depth, energy, and a sense of freedom.
A Lasting Legacy
With The Light That Follows: Usk to Estuary now on permanent display in the Newport Engagement Hub, USW staff, students, and visitors alike can enjoy a work that captures the energy of the city’s river, the resilience of its community, and the creativity flowing through its landscapes.