Miners of Carmaux, 1993
Miners of Carmaux are nationally known for the social movements they initiated and their importance in history. In particular the strikes of 1892-1895 which were the first in the French coal mines and which are thought to be the origin of Jean Jaurès’ conversion to socialism.
Coming from all over Europe and North Africa, from the time when coal was the main energy source, they are now retired and the mines are closed.
I set out to photograph the former coal miners at home with their wife. Within this familiar daily setting, the choice of the frame and the moments retained are my main concern. I do not move the objects, guide the models’ posture as little as possible, do not evoke any action. The attitude of the subjects depends on their culture and the image they wish to give of themselves. From these portraits of couples I retain the faces of spouses united to the point of physical resemblance. Next to each other, each one reveals himself to the lens, witnessing a pose created for the photograph.
