The Quarrymen

For generations, slate quarrying shaped the landscape, community and way of life in Dyffryn Nantlle. Today the quarries are quieter but their stories live on through the people who worked there.

Local schoolchildren worked with photographer Carwyn Rhys Jones to learn photography and interview skills. They met former quarrymen, listened to their memories and asked about their working lives.

The children created these striking double-exposure portraits, bringing together the quarrymen and the landscape they helped shape. Through photography, a younger generation helped capture and share their stories for the future.

Click the images to explore the portraits.

Take a look at more Gwynedd creativity

Detail of felt landscape artwork | Manylyn o waith celf tirwedd ffeltGwynedd

The Language in the Land

Felt and painted landscapes by adults at yr Orsaf

Dioramas of Dyffryn from pupils at Ysgol Bro Lleu | Dioramâu Dyffryn oddi wrth ddisgyblion Ysgol Bro LleuGwynedd

Dioramas of Dyffryn

Papier mache dioramas made by pupils at Ysgol Bro Lleu

'Cynefin' artwork | Gwait Celf 'Cynefin'Gwynedd

Our Cynefin in Art

Paintings and illustrations made by pupils at Ysgol Bro Lleu representing ‘our cynefin in art’ – their connection to their local area

8 pairs of paper mache boots made of local newspapers, inspired by a historical pair of local Quarryman's boots | 8 par o esgidiau papur-mâché wedi'u gwneud o bapurau newydd lleol, wedi'u hysbrydoli gan bâr hanesyddol o esgidiau chwarelwr lleolGwynedd

Walking in their Footsteps

8 paper mache boots made of local newspapers, inspired by a historical pair of local Quarryman’s boots

5 pieces of willow work, each one a collaboration between different people from the community. Inspired by heritage crafts and sheep markings.Gwynedd

Woven Together

5 pieces of willow work, each one a collaboration between different people from the community. Inspired by heritage crafts and sheep markings