“If the wild were to come close to extinction, its final fastnesses would be the mountain-tops, and the valleys they protected. These were places that, in the main, still kept their own patterns and rhythms, made their own weathers and their own light. But there were warnings here too against dreams of purity or invulnerability… evidence of incursion and change. Subtler warnings, as well, which took the form of absences: cleared glens, treeless hillsides.”
Robert MacFarlane, The Wild Places
The Valley is a selection of images of the Chaaba Valley in Safi, Morocco taken in September 2017. Safi is famed for its ceramic production and over 100 workshops and kilns were built in the valley. Despite practicing in this environment for several generations the community has now been relocated to a new studio complex in another part of the city.
Simon Mills is a Belfast based documentary photographer. As well as exploring making processes and communities, his work also examines land use and our changing relationship with the landscape.
Opening 7th June
8th-30th June
Gallery One
Written response to exhibition by Hayley Gault available in PARS (Platform Arts Resource Space).
Photo Credit: Simon Mills
