Camilla Brueton wants to talk to people who worked at or lived near the former HMRC building
AN artist inspired to document the demolition of the former HMRC headquarters in Llanishen by drawing it on old tax office envelopes is asking people to share their memories of the building.
Camilla Brueton, 47, produced over 70 drawings at different stages of the demolition between May and October last year.
Some of these were sketched on the back of envelopes from the tax office itself, which she received from work colleagues, neighbours and older residents living in the area.
“What I loved about the building is the brutalist nature of it and the way light is reflected at different times of the day,” she said.
“In the bright morning it would be greens, blues and yellows and when the sun’s going down it reflected the orange of the sunset – almost like a colorimeter.
“As the layers came away, it became more about understanding the internal structures, and how it could be drawn in that way.
“I work four days a week, so I was having to draw it around my life. Most of them appear to be unfinished because I often had to rush off to work or to appointments, which at first was frustrating, but I really like the aesthetic.
“I feel it refers to architectural drawings which only show what the actual plan is about and the rest of it is suggested – like a work in progress.”
Built in 1968, the building once dominated the skyline of Llanishen, before its headquarters were moved to Central Square in 2020.
Ms Brueton is originally from Hackney in London, but moved to Cardiff in 2018 and works as a producer at the Commonwealth Theatre Company.
Though she has been living in Cardiff for seven years, it was the threat of the demolition of the building that encouraged her to put pencil to paper.
“It’s that thing of taking something for granted until you think you’re going to lose them,” she said.
“This is the first time I’ve drawn something being demolished, and it was fascinating drawing the same thing again and again, and each time, it was different. You learn something new each time.
“Drawing for me is an important way of understanding the world around you, and you see it in a completely different way than if you were just to look at it.
“I draw primarily, but I also make collages, and as part of my gathering of material around Cardiff I became interested in the tax office.”
In the past, Ms Brueton has created artwork that blends writing and imagery and is eager to connect with people who have a history with the building.
“I’ve already had so many people already come up and chat with me as I’ve been out drawing, and it was amazing to find out locally, just how many people were interested in that building and that time.
“One guy I spoke to remembered it being built as a kid and had fond memories of it. He said they should keep it up as a monument – and there’s a part of me which understands that.
“I love the architecture and what it stood for in terms of providing people secure jobs. Although part of me feels it should stay up, I’ve heard the site could become a new school which I’m okay with, as it’ll be really positive for the community.”
With the community’s help, she hopes to capture the heart and soul of the building, and the people that worked there.
“I’m in the process now of how I might show my work,” she said.
“Most of the people I have spoken to won’t travel to an art gallery in the centre of town, so part of me wants to show them here locally, in their natural place. There are notice boards around the demolition site and I’d perhaps like to share it there.
“Perhaps a combination of publicity material in a notice board so there’s something locally, a community space, or a gallery in town would also work.”
- Did you use to work at the HMRC building or know anyone who did? If so, contact Camilla Brueton at camillabrueton@googlemail.com or find her on Instagram at @cbrueton
