Artist statement

The core subject of my work seeks to address cultural identity through an examination of the sense of resilience highlighted during events in Welsh history. I have elected to focus on the Aberfan mining disaster of 1966, the Miners’ Strike of 1984–85, and the current fragility of the Port Talbot Steelworks. I believe that these events are intrinsically linked to a sense of place and community. A reading of the essays contained within (Miskell, 2019) and the excellent “Visions of the Valleys” (BBC Cymru - Wales 2015) provide a real insight into the resilience and life affirming nature of the area. My intention is to capture this sense of identity in a powerful and evocative way not only through a nostalgic lens but in celebrating the beauty of the valleys and the continued sense of community and pride.

My practice will embrace photography in a creative manner, along with etching and engraving onto salvaged metal and wood from that area. I have experimented with various materials and will further explore this through the research of Welsh heraldry, quilt patterns, and the banners used during the Miners’ Strike. I will also be exploring printing onto maps the locations of 2,573 disused coal tips, 360 of which are deemed to be of the highest risk.

Going forward it is my intention to explore this sense of resilience by interviewing people in those communities. I will also be seeking to salvage further materials from the area where I have contacts in the relevant industries.