VISIONS of Gwent’s coal mining heritage will be revealed to the public today as part of exhibition by an award-winning photographer.

The Kickplate Gallery in Abertillery will host the exhibition ‘Coal Faces: Changing Places’ by Crosskeys-born documentary photographer Roger Tiley.

Since beginning his photographic career in 1978 as an apprentice industrial photographer, Mr Tiley has worked as a photojournalist for national newspapers including the Sunday Times, Observer and Guardian.

The 56-year-old, who now lives in the Swansea area, continues to push photography practice forward as a lecturer of 30 years experience in both the USA and UK.

Alongside being a winner of the “Independent on Sunday / First Direct Photography Awards” (1998) he has also taken on several commissions for the Arts Council of Wales.

His latest exhibition in Blaenau Gwent will delve into the memories and striking images of 1980s Gwent valleys, focusing on subjects before, during and after the 1984/85 miners’ strike.

He describes his work as a collection of "images of the past" when "coal mining will still a major employer in the Gwent valleys".

“When I was at school there were quite a few of my friends who went to work in the mining industry," he said.

“It has always been an interest for me as it was a culture that I grew up in and photographing the miners was something really special. I remember them being so friendly and accepting”.

Over his career Mr Tiley has seen many faces of the mining industry, ranging from initial visits to the Celynen South Colliery in Newbridge to exploring around 23 other mines in the UK.

He was also the only photographer allowed to witness and photograph the last deep coal mine in the UK at Kellingley in North Yorkshire which closed in December 2015.

Speaking about his latest exhibition he said: "Images include community life, the mines rescue, the year-long miners' strike and small private drift mines.

“I enjoy photographing miners.The banter, the comradeship and togetherness cannot be found anywhere else but of course it is now a memory.”

Many former miners, who are the subjects of the photographs, are expected to attend the exhibition and both Mr Tiley and Kickplate Gallery are looking forward to the “interesting dialogues” this will create.

Mr Tiley added: “I always thought my photography was for everyone and not just for the critics or ‘gallery-goers’.

“It’s great that the people in the photographs are going to come and show others what they were doing in the 1980s. It’s always nice to meet up again and speak about what they described as the good old days."

The Kickplate Gallery are a non-profit organisation and receive no public funding, relying on the passionate work of volunteers to host photography and visual art displays.

Kickplate Gallery Curator, Liz Baker-Bartlett, described the exhibition as "very powerful and evocative of the 1980’s mining in the valleys".

“There are 21 framed photos in the exhibition and also two of Roger's pit helmets that he used while photographing the miners," she said.

"Additional information and pictures of Roger will accompany the show which helps give a good insight into the process Roger went through in taking the photos in a mining environment."

Mr Tiley added: "Wherever I have travelled the communities are exactly the same in that they’re very close knit and there is a friendship and trust between them.

“I remember playing on the coal tip as a child but the valleys are a lot greener now and a lot more pleasant [...] a beautiful place where people want to live and holiday.

“However the valleys have also become a satellite area for cities like Newport and Cardiff and I think we have lost that (community) now as people rarely work in the areas that they live.

“The miners were a special breed. To go down and work in those conditions on the coal face takes a very special, strong person and I think since the mines closed, we have lost that.”

The exhibition will run until Saturday, November 5 at 26, Church Street, Abertillery Blaenau Gwent, NP13 1DB.

On Saturday, October 15 Roger will also sign copies of his new book at a gallery preview show between 11am – 4pm.

For more information search ‘The Kickplate Gallery’ on Facebook.