Secret artwork within bollards in the city are set to be restored by St David’s Cardiff and artist Jane Edden after being stolen.

The artwork, which has become renowned as one of Cardiff’s ‘hidden gems’, is only visible through small peepholes in 10 pedestrian bollards located on The Hayes in Cardiff, near the John Batchelor statue.

Those that discover the secret artwork can see a series of miniature worlds in monochrome, created by Jane Edden, depicting drawings of students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. But after being enjoyed for over a decade in the city, two of the bollard tops containing the art were stolen.

This June, all the bollard tops are set to be removed by St David’s for a restoration programme which will see each of them replaced and brought back to their former glory. The entire project will take around six weeks, and will see the originals returned to their city centre locations alongside a new, bespoke informational bollard.

Artist Jane Edden told us….

“It is lovely for me as an artist that the ‘Post Secret’ bollards have been so appreciated and enjoyed by the people of Cardiff. I’m looking forward to providing a brand new bollard top with information about the project so that visitors and locals can learn more about the hidden artworks, and to restoring the original ‘Post Secret’ bollards so that they can be appreciated for years to come.”

The bollard artwork was originally commissioned by the St David’s Partnership as part of a £1.5m public arts scheme to celebrate the launch of the extended St David’s shopping centre in 2009.

Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David’s Dewi Sant, added…..

“It’s a pleasure to work alongside Jane to restore these secret treasures of the city, and we’re excited that the rejuvenation project will allow the artworks to be discovered by even more locals and visitors. Public art is created to be enjoyed, and we’re looking forward to unveiling the bollards in time for summer.”