Become an Offline Subscriber+ supporter for a chance to win a rare copy of Robert Haines’ classic photobook ‘Once Upon a Time in Wales’.
With issue #008 released (and nearly gone) and Subscriptions now available for the next two issues of Offline Journal, I thought a small reward might be in order for someone opting to support Offline by taking out the Subscriber+ option through the month of May.
The very excellent Once Upon a Time in Wales by photographer Robert Haines had a worthy spot on the Photobook Timeline in issue #005 of Offline Journal - ‘The Photobook & Wales’.
Publisher Dewi Lewis describes the book very well:
“For 35 years this extraordinary collection of photographs remained hidden from the world. Taken around 1971-2, by 19-year-old photographer Robert Haines, they record life in the Welsh valleys, in the village of Heolgerrig and nearby Merthyr Tydfil. Heolgerrig a very close-knit community with Welsh the first language. It was a mining community where most of the men worked underground and life seemed to revolve around the pub and the chapel. Merthyr Tydfil, once the ‘Iron Capital’ of the world, had a justifiable reputation as ‘tough’ with characters such as hard man, Melvin Webber, who died after being blasted by a shotgun, and ‘Mad’ Malcolm for whom no chemical substance was too strong”.
Dewi Lewis – Publisher, 2008.
When Dewi Lewis published the only print run of Once Upon a Time in Wales back in 2008 it quickly sold out - meaning good quality pre-owned copies are now hard to find - but I have a couple and making one available. This book pops up for sale online very rarely (at times priced over £100+ for a single copy).
Robert Haines’ captions that accompany the 71 duotone photographs over the 96 pages of this hardcover book are both informative and humorous; and give a real feel for the characters that formed the small community of Heolgerrig.
For a chance to win a very good quality copy of an out-of-print classic,
simply renew or start a new Subscriber+ Subscription at £45.00 by midnight Tuesday 31 May 2022 and receive…
Offline Journal issues #009 & #010;
plus a FOLIO exhibition poster and Offline Essay supplement;
plus the monthly Subscriber+ email Newsletter;
plus access to bonus materials on www.offline.wales
All new Subscriber+ subscriptions purchased from 28 April 2022 until midnight 31 May 2022 will be entered into the draw for the book (UK only). The lucky winner will be notified by email on 1st June and announced on the Offline Journal Newsletters that month.
If you have an interest in photography and photobooks from Wales then
Once Upon a Time in Wales is a necessity on your shelf - to enjoy from time to time and also keep as an investment. An absolute cracker of a book and one of my personal favourites.
Photography Exhibitions & Events
Here’s a list of exhibitions shared with me.
Again, if you’re aware of any others planned for 2022, please leave a comment or direct a gallery representative my way via offline.journal@gmail.com
DAVID HURN: SWAPS
David Hurn / Various
23 October 2021 - 29 August 2022 (extended)
National Museum Wales, Cardiff
www.museum.wales
CITY STORIES : Cardiff 1969 - 1977
Pete Davis
26 April - 21 May 2022
Found Gallery, Brecon
www.foundgallery.co.uk
BRECON BEACONS GARDEN
Ceri Leigh
1 March - 31 May 2022
Llandough Hospital, Cardiff
www.cardiffandvale.art
FISHERWOMEN
Craig Easton
5 March - 14 May 2022
Oriel Colwyn, Colwyn Bay
Photo Film Club @ Oriel Colwyn
Keep an eye on their website for updates on future exhibitions and Photo Film Club screenings.
www.orielcolwyn.org
THE LAST VALLEY
Huw Alden Davies
19 March - 14 May 2022
Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen
www.orielmyrddingallery.co.uk
DOCUMENTARY, ZINES & SUBVERSION
Café Royal Books
14 April - 12 June 2022
Martin Parr Foundation, Bristol
www.martinparrfoundation.org
CALON WLÂN
Bruce Cardwell
15 April - 7 June 2022
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre
DAVID HURN: NEWPORT
David Hurn
7 May - 17 June 2022
*EVENT*
(opening event Saturday 7 May - film screenings by Roger Tiley 2pm /
David Hurn show opening 5pm)
Ffoto Newport, Newport
www.facebook.com/FfotoNewport
Mental Health Awareness Week
Various
11 - 14 May 2022
Ffotogallery, Cardiff
www.ffotogallery.org
*EVENT*
CAPTURING A COMMUNITY
Billie Charity & John Bulmer in discussion
11.30am on 27 May 2022
HAY FESTIVAL, Hay-on-Wye
www.hayfestival.com
*EVENT*
ANOTHER COUNTRY SEMINAR DAY
Gerry Badger; and various photographers
11 June 2022
Launch event for a new major publication from Gerry Badger and Thames & Hudson – Another Country, British Documentary Photography since 1945 – showcasing the social and cultural history of Britain since the Second World War. This is a ticket event.
www.martinparrfoundation.org/events/another-country
*EVENT*
THE EYE INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL 2022
7 - 9 October 2022
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
www.theeyefestival.com