Increasingly, evidence of Nova Scotia’s past industrial activity is disappearing from the landscape and so it has never been more important to document it in detail. The buildings, ruins, and materials of production are turning into a source of curiosity as they become less part of the everyday existence. With today’s shifting global economy, communities in Nova Scotia—and across North America—are forced to reinvent themselves following the collapse of local industries.
The photographs of What Remains respond largely to this scenario. Depicting numerous historically significant operational and abandoned industrial sites throughout Nova Scotia, they raise questions such as: What impact does the loss of industry have on our heritage? Our communities? Our landscape?
This unique interpretation of Nova Scotia’s industrial landscape sheds new light on important aspects of Canada’s history, provides a multi-faceted look at the contemporary landscape and focuses closely on connections between material and place. The photographs remind us of what once was, what has become, and What Remains.
This project was developed in collaboration with jeweller Liz Wright. The four-month exhibition at the Museum of Industry in Stellarton, NS, presented 29 of my photographs alongside Wright’s jewellery pieces and curated artifacts from the museum’s collection. The project was made possible through funding provided by Arts Nova Scotia.
Installation Views
What Remains: The Nova Scotia Industrial Project
Nova Scotia Museum of Industry, Stellarton, NS. October 2014–January 2015
