Jon Pountney
Jon Pountney is a professional photographer and artist, living in Treforest, Rhondda Cynon Taf. His work is inspired by memory, nostalgia, social history and community, working across a variety of mediums. Primarily, he uses film and digital photography, but is equally as comfortable and proficient in painting or using video or super8 to present his work. The artist is passionate about working with communities and people, to bring stories to life and out into the public realm. So much of Wales’ history is spoken word and kept as memories; without interpretation those testimonies are lost. Learning from personal experience, his work ensures these stories are given voice, and are accessible to all.
Project Brief
Much of Pountney’s work is about Wales’ past, industrial and social, and he is interested in looking towards what is used to develop notions of nationhood as the country moves away from its traditional image of heavy industry and coal mining. He has followed the development of Welsh Youth Parliament with interest, and now creates portraits of its representatives, capturing them in a series of regional events and showing the diverse backgrounds and narratives that have led to them becoming Welsh Youth Parliament members.