Ffion Denman
My name is Ffion Denman and I am a young Welsh photographer based in Cardiff.
I explore post-industrial Welsh towns and their working-class histories, representing communities that are hidden, fading or on the margins of society. Central to the work is the audience’s physical intervention with the historical and contemporary national socio-political narratives.
Wales has a synonymous historical past and present with industry with certain areas being the largest exporter of steel, iron, slate, copper and coal in Europe in their most prosperous days. What remains is a domineering post-industrial landscape echoing the past. In this body of work, looking at post-industrial towns of the North; Blaenau Ffestiniog and the South; Port Talbot, I aim to explore the communities in these towns, how the landscape has shaped their lives through employment, lifestyle and culture. Wales is a country that has long been overlooked, argued by Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price, as “the first and final colony”, with post-industrial Wales suffering economically of severe unemployment with West Wales being one of the poorest regions of Northern Europe. Through landscape photography, I aim to depict how the struggles of post-industrial life has damaged both the culture and identity of Wales but in turn how its people have attempted to overcome this.
Instagram: @ffiondenman
Where would you like your work to take you?
I’ve always been interested in art as a platform for social change and see the role of the photographer as a vital agent in this. I hope for my works to have this same platform, influencing change in society, even if a small change. I did a project last year on the growing community of Welsh learners to subvert media messages of hate and hope that changed at least one person’s view on the often deemed ‘pointless’ and ‘dying’ Welsh language. I want to impact positive change in society and weather that comes through my own work or platforming others on my new co-founded collective (with @evemilsom) @fika.mag, I’d be more than happy!
Which part of your creative process do you enjoy most?
For me, post-production is what I enjoy most about my creative process, seeing my work come to life weather that’s in book form, print or on a billboard poster… that is when I feel most satisfaction in my work.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Many of my projects are politically or socially charged, I am inspired by how society works, different cultures and communities and political histories of place.
What piece of music would you say compliments your work the most?
For this specific project that touches on themes of identity, politics and history it would be rude not to choose ‘Yma o Hyd’, which translates to ‘Still Here’ by Dafydd Iwan. This song talks about how the Welsh language, identity and community still stands strong after many attempts in history to eradicate it.
Can you list a couple other creatives/friends/people you look to for inspiration?
My main mode of inspiration has to be my dad, @haydndenman, who is also a photographer. I also draw inspiration from my friends in @opuscollective, specifically @evemilsom and @lwenbanaub.
