Environmental And Social Activism
"I see this personal work as a celebration of activism and community volunteers. I attempt to give a profile to those that are motivated or currently able, to try and create social or political change.
Many volunteer to these issues or to their community without recognition or financial reward, often keeping important issues in the public and political eye. They can be the ones creating that vital cohesion, the community glue, the creators of community resilience, the providers of safety nets.
Voluntary work can often fall prey to 'voluntary fatigue'; from personal experience of trying to promote environmental good practice, I have often ask myself 'who will step in to the fold if I step away?'.
Within my works I often aim to visually isolate, frame the individual to draw attention to the very human narrative of a personal calling, attempting to remedy the aspect of struggle or fatigue by giving that individual unsolicited recognition; whilst also creating a very public record and resource.
My images have often then been shared or used by the related social media sites for all to see, to celebrate that individuals action, assisting to celebrate each others actions and attendance. Hopefully contributing to maintaining, feeding, encouraging new people to step in to the fold.
I have often retrospectively wondered, if this work is photojournalism. but as it is in my complete control, not subject to external editorial decision, I do deem it as social documentary, photo essay, story telling, art activism."
nigel pugh in conversation with brian carroll ffoton Wales
One Image ffoton Wales- audio
‘Creating Sanctuary’ - project process
