Coalfaces
'Coal Faces' is the product of three major projects in the Upper Afan Valley since 1990, funded in turn by The Arts Council of Wales, The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
We document our rapidly changing present and find, as in the case of 'Coal Faces' - the Afan Valley project, much that is unacceptable and ought to change. Our aim is, by way of our intervention, our visualisation of this community of souls as opposed to the impersonal statistical record, to persuade others to engage in processes that would bring this change about.
Today, so many photographs are being taken. Add to that the technological advances and to the majority of people, photography seems easy. It has become so popular, so used and abused, that because of its popularity it is in danger of losing its own self-respect, as well as the trust and confidence of its audience in its veracity and artistry. With our work we attempt to redress the balance.