WALES’ first contemporary art hotel celebrated its official launch on Friday (Mar 18) with a special pop-up gallery event which included specially-commissioned art by the internationally renowned ‘Pure Evil’, a graffiti and street artist.

Twr y Felin Hotel in St Davids featured eight different iconic spraypainted portraits which commemorated various different Welsh legends of song and of cinema.

Icons depicted on canvas in Pure Evil’s infamous Nightmare Series style include Tom Jones, Richard Burton, Sian Phillips, Shirley Bassey, Anthony Hopkins, Katherine Jenkins, Catherine Zeta Jones and Cerys Matthews.

Pure Evil, also known as Charles Uzzell Edwards, is originally from Tenby. He spoke about his enjoyment of having taken part in this inaugural Welsh artistic project by creating his iconic portrait collection.

Pure Evil said: “I was born and raised in Wales so was immediately excited to create the iconic Welsh portraits for Twr y Felin Hotel. Capturing an essence of Wales with a slightly sinister twist, the portraits are an excellent addition to the Nightmare Series. I hope visitors will enjoy them as much I have relished making them.”

The grand hotel was originally built in 1806 as a working windmill, but today is being used to house 19 en-suite bedrooms as well as a 360 degree view of the beautiful St Davids peninsula which guests can take advantage of from the windmill’s observatory area.

Keith Griffiths, owner of Twr y Felin Hotel, as well as Roch Castle Hotel and Penrhiw Hotel, said: “After seven years and an investment of £7m, it is wonderful to see this historicallysignificant building finally restored and given a new lease of life as Wales’ first art hotel.

“My combined passions for art, history and the Pembrokeshire coastline have provided a great source of inspiration towards the design of Twr y Felin Hotel and, with the help of a highly skilled and talented team of artists and designers, I’m proud to see my vision turned into a reality.

“We hope that the addition of a third unique luxury hotel with a strong sense of history, art and place will help to further invigorate the economy of St Davids and Pembrokeshire as a whole.”

Edwina Hart, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, said: “Our tourism strategy for Wales emphasises the need to look at using our wealth of historic buildings to create high quality, distinctive accommodation.

“The history and character of this building make it very special with a unique story to tell, Twr y Felin has the potential to become a reputationchanging hotel which can create new demand for Pembrokeshire and for Wales.

“St Davids not only holds the title of Britain’s smallest city, but could also be considered to be the art capital of Wales.

“With a wealth of art galleries, heritage attractions, inspiring landscapes, and now, the addition of Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, there is great potential to attract visitors from far and wide to experience the area’s creative and unique offering.”

The hotel’s opening has been assisted by the Welsh Government through its ‘Tourism Investment Support Scheme’.

Pure Evil’s iconic canvases will appear beside more than 100 other pieces of art which are on display at the hotel.