Elysium Gallery, Swansea
Fri 21 Oct-Sat 19 Nov
The coastal village of Borth, which lies in the shadow of Snowdonia National Park in Ceredigion, had a long and productive maritime history. On one side is the Irish Sea, on another, the marshlands of Cors Fochno. One person who is in touch with that ecosystem and some of the women who live there is Swiss photographer Mira Andres. Her stunning exhibition, The Black Crows Of Borth, shows that the sea can be friend and foe.
Andres combines nature and links generations. The ‘crows’ of the title are Borth’s women. Up until the middle of the last century, the village’s main economy was sea harvesting. Women’s work was just as important – spinning, weaving, knitting and gathering cockles and shrimps. They would walk along the cliff path to Aberystwyth to sell their catch. Because many of them were fishermen’s widows wearing all black, and they kept close together, they resembled crows – hence the name. The modern-day women in the photos also are gainful, but in the artistic sense now. Their work also draws from the sea, and there is that strong bond of sisterhood from years ago.
Andres’ portraits draw you in, the faces as strong as ones that came before them. You can feel the wind in your hair and smell the saltwater, that’s how evocative the photos are.
Admission: free. Info: 07980 925449 / www.elysiumgallery.com words RHONDA LEE REALI