The tenets of our work are coherence, intensity and personal accountability. Photography is, we believe, a juxtaposition between the photographer and the presumptions of approximate and habitual seeing. We try to go beyond superficial photographic accuracy, surface naturalism to where the spirit of the picture becomes retrospective, contemplative, not so much a document as a talisman or relic.

"Sunnyside Terrace - Everything has a use"

"Our role as photographers is to witness and to be involved with our subject; to show things that need to be corrected but also things that have to be appreciated. We translate what we see into frozen reality and trust that the resulting images convey our respect for truth as well as our appreciation of the aesthetic values of light, form and composition".

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.

Our first book 'Pigs & Ingots - The Lead / Silver Mines of Cardiganshire' published by Y Lolfa 1993 is an important study of the mining landscape, the history of which impacts on what we see today.

'Pigs & Ingots' lead to and informed the treatment of our second book (as yet unpublished) 'Coal Faces - Life in the Afan Valley after Coal'. Obvious parallels exist between the mining landscapes of lead and coal with the significant difference that the communities dependent on lead mining did die out - the coal communities are in a slow tortuous decline and will die if the political will cannot be found to prevent it.

We have a great, in-depth understanding of, not only the mining landscape but also the ex-coal communities with whom we work. This we articulate in the large format photographs, which form an integral part of 'Coal Faces'. These images define the physical context, the environment as well as, most importantly, reveal the people who inhabit our documentary.

'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 and The Welsh Writers' Trust. Based on thorough, wide-ranging research and photographic expertise, it has taken 10 years to compile thus far. This body of work is a very important contribution to the history and culture of Wales.

'Coal Faces - Life After Coal in the Upper Afan Valley' (South Wales)

40,000 words
52 large format colour photographs
Video stills
Video installation

The text of 'Coal Faces' describes the reality of life in one small Welsh valley, 10 miles inland from Port Talbot, experienced by the people who live there, young, old and those in between, related through transcribed video interviews. Their voices are strong, musical and unedited on such subjects such as the history of mining and the withdrawal of the National Coal Board from the valley, so-called community initiatives attempting to resolve the social problems caused by the massive loss of jobs, the closing down of the railways at the same time of the withdrawal of the mining company, health, housing, childcare, vandalism, crime, drug abuse and the consequent social exclusion of the communities in general and of certain individuals in particular.

In addition to the interviews our own research appended to each one broadens or contextualises the arguments raised. In a conclusion we suggest that there are positive solutions to the age-old problems but that their implementation would require 'different thinking' - a creative approach in the seats of power which seems to be difficult to achieve.

Our objective is, and has always been, that these voices be heard. They are vital, cultural history and record a time pre Objective 1 that has a fundamental bearing on the way Wales progresses politically in the future and how European funding is administered now and for the ensuing decade. A particularly poignant parallel exists with the demise of the steel industry, Corus, in Wales today. Seven thousand men will lose their jobs this year alone. One problem in our society seems to be that even hard-working people are an expendable commodity and are treated as such - we oppose this view.

The significance of this work is that it is the people talking - 'Coal Faces' combines first-hand experience with cultural enterprise in an accessible combination of formats and therein lies its importance. We as photographers are, in this case, facilitators empowering a community to express concerns that touch us all, especially here in Wales, and with particular reference to the present plight of the valleys and their hard-pressed communities.

Our photographs document and freeze in time issues that have not been addressed adequately for thirty years, whilst celebrating the ability of a community to survive albeit on the margins, with dignity and with hope of change.

We would like to eventually mount a major exhibition in Wales, to coincide with the publication of 'Coal Faces' that would include a video installation, and would tour internationally. In the meantime we will be exhibiting some of the photographs at the National Assembly of Wales from the 11th of November for a limited period in conjunction with the National Library of Wales.

"Garage Cymer"

Recent Exhibitions

2002 National Eisteddfod of Wales, St. David's

Mostyn Open 12 Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno

Art, Age & Gender. Foundation for Women's Art, Orleans House, London

2001 The John Kobal Photographic Portrait Award, National Purtrait Gallery

2000 West. Ffotobiennial Wales, Ffotogallery, Cardiff