Blue Flash, Power Box and Mesh Chips, sitting above the East Tyndell Street Electricty Substation, is a public artwork created by Cardiff artist John Gringell in 1994. He was commissioned by Cardiff Bay Arts Trust to create the artwork for SWALEC as part of an ambitious investment in public art as part of the regeneration of Cardiff Bay. The work is made up of three pieces, each representative of different elements of the electrical nature of the substation: the Blue Flash which sits on top of the red substation box and the blue arc with yellow 'chips' representing sparks.

Described during the BBC Wales Arts Award for that year (for which it was shortlisted) as an artwork which 'transforms an electricty power station into a stunning city landmark ... a striking and bold interpretation of what could otherwise be the traditional urban eyesore', the highly visible and colourful piece has become an iconic landmark within the city. Gingell himself said in the video made for the awards 'the new image of electricity as being the key power source in our age, the thing that makes cities work, has been taken on here. If you ask any child to draw a lightning flash they will go zig-zag zig-zag, so I took that simple notion of a zig-zag form and made it a bit more complex. I hope that people will take it in the spirit that's intended, that its a celebratory, exciting, thing.'

In 2018 Western Power Distribution, the owners of the substation suggested removal of the pieces may be needed to make alterations to the substation, leading to a widescale campaign and petition for retention. 

RCAHMW March 2022

Ref: BBC Wales Arts Awards shortlisting video