The valleys

The intimate new photo series documenting the people who shape a Welsh ex mining town
By Alex James Taylor | Art | 30 November 2015

Top image: Thomas and James. 2015. Photograph by Tom Johnson

Merthyr Rising is the joint project of London based photographer Tom Johnson and stylist Charlotte James. Together they travelled to Merthyr Tydfil – an ex mining town in the Welsh Valleys – to capture the true essence of this tight-knit community.

In the early 1800s a concentrated revolution took place in Merthyr. Known as ‘The Merthyr Rising’, it saw citizens take to the streets calling for legislation reform and wage improvements. Johnson and James’ series adapts the name of that specific period of time and reassigns it to the positive optimism currently rippling through the town, highlighting the cordial community who reside there.

GALLERY

As a Merthyr native herself, James sought to “challenge the common misconceptions and judgments surrounding an extraordinary place whilst focusing the spotlight on Merthyr’s proud history, strong community, vibrant characters and exciting young talent.”

In harmony, the series captures both the charm of the local spirit and the lush rural landscape that surrounds the town; cobbled streets lined with terrace houses are interspersed amongst blooming green fields – aptly symbolic of the town’s strong willed optimism, a trait hardwired to Merthyr’s DNA.

In similar vein to photographers Martin Parr and Daniel Meadows, Johnson and James approach Merthyr with an immersive curiosity, resulting in a series linked by a fully realised narrative. Each portrait provides a glimpse into another Britain, one full of independent character and away from the often anonymous metropolis lifestyle.  Through them we glimpse the richness of strong community living, an aspect of British culture many feel has diminished in today’s culture. But in Merthyr it thrives, that much is clear to see.

Alex James Taylor: How did the concept first originate?
Tom Johnson: Charlotte came to me with the idea of challenging the misconceptions of her hometown, Merthyr Tydfil last year and I was interested immediately. Over the summer of 2015, we’d travel to Merthyr and stay at her grandparents. Many of the subjects are Charlotte’s family and friends, others are passers-by or found social networks.

Charlotte James: I’d been thinking it would be a great place to document for a few years but hadn’t met the right person to collaborate with. We instantly connected over this idea and both felt very passionate about it, we then talked about it on and off for a year before we went ahead. I wanted to reveal a side of Merthyr that is often overlooked. The people of Merthyr are great and despite the fact parts of Merthyr have suffered since Thatcher, there is actually a backlash from all the negative press the town has received and through that lots of exciting new creatives are emerging from the town. So I wanted to help promote a positive image and document the side of Merthyr that I am familiar with rather that what the press portray.

Malcolm, 2015. Photograph by Tom Johnson

AJT: How open to being photographed were Merthyr locals?
TJ: People were curious of what we were doing, almost no one we approached said no. When I’ve shot in the valleys before people have invited the whole crew in for hot drinks when they saw us shooting outside their house!

AJT: Is there one subject who particularly stands out for you two?
TJ I think it has to be Phyllis, unfortunately she passed away a few months after the shoot. She had a wicked sense of humour and was full of energy.
CJ: I knew Phyllis’s daughter Karen who invited us over one afternoon for tea and biscuits. Phyllis was 91 years old, she had nine grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. When we turned up with my suitcases full of clothes she thought I had brought her my washing to do [laughs].
TJ. She was a fantastic lady who made us laugh a lot, she kept saying “cheese or sex” when her picture was being taken [laughs].

 

Terry & Lee. 2015 Photograph by Tom Johnson

Johnson and James‘ exhibition, Merthyr Rising runs between 10th – 13th December 2015 at Box Studio, Shoreditch, E1 6JB

A limited edition 40 page page zine is available for pre-order here

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