"Capriccio of Cardiff Coal Exchange" by Dan Liu 
  

The drawing is a capriccio or architectural fantasy of the derelict Cardiff Coal and Shipping Exchange. It captures the essence of its current dilapidated building fabric while romanticises its ruinous state. This vast abandoned building is a lone standing monument commemorating the glorious past of coal mining in South Wales and embodies the rich cultural history of the Industrial Revolution era. With the last ship leaving the docks of Cardiff packed with the ‘black gold’ of the Welsh valleys, a period of irreversible slow decay began.

The fate of the Coal Exchange building is a stark reminder of how the reliance on carbon-based fuel has shaped economy historically and it tells a powerful story about the socio-economic decline caused by resource depletion. This drawing is a gesture of appreciation of this magnificent heritage building and aims to serve as a touchstone for any future regenerative efforts.