The Bings

Images from the series, The Bings, 2013-14.
Images from the series, The Bings, 2013-14.

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The bings are an enormous set of spoil-heaps comprised from the tailings of the once globally-important shale oil industry which was centred in West Lothian. Since workings ended in the early 1960s, the bings have gradually been re-appropriated as an unlikely leisure ground, site of nationally-significant biodiversity and a monumental symbol of West Lothian identity.

In The Bings series, I eschew the absolute objectivity often associated with contemporary landscape photography in favour of making lyrical images. By doing so aim to challenge ideas about how we perceive use of post-industrial landscapes in Scotland.

 

To see more of Jack’s work please visit: www.jackluke.co.uk

There’s also an accompanying book with images of the bings alongside poems by Alistair Findlay.