Emma Stevenson – Altered Lands

Photographed within Snowdonia National Park and outside the protected area, this series highlights ambiguous alterations which represent the long history and relationship we have with our surrounding environment. From the drastic impacts of industry, quarries, nuclear power, dams, hydroelectric power, and reforestation, to the overlooked everyday impacts of roads, farming and grazing (things which have been happening for thousands of years) it’s easy to forget that the landscapes we think are natural and untouched today have been managed by mankind for centuries. There is a delicate balance between our relation with the environment, which can easily be upset and taken advantage of. Despite these substantial human impacts, the sublime scenery still governs these altered lands.

List of photo titles:

(Titles appear in order of photo presentation. All sites are situated in Snowdonia National Park except Alwen Dam, Alwen Forest, and Ffestiniog as stated. Series of 7 photos taken on 120mm colour negative film)

Lake Llydaw – A natural lake, one third of the way up Mt.Snowdon. The water is used to generate electricity via the Cwm Dyli Hydroelectric Power Station situated in the valley below.

Dinorwig Slate Quarry – In its peek this quarry was the second biggest producer of slate in the World. Also situated in the disused slate quarry is a pumped-storage hydroelectric power station. To preserve the natural beauty of Snowdonia National Park, the power station itself is located inside the tunnels and caverns of Elidir Mountain.

Ffestiniog – Although this historic mining town is located in the centre of the Snowdonia National Park, the boundaries of the Park have excluded it from protective control, in hope that light industry would develop in place of the declining slate industry. The town is well known for its railway, originally used for slate transportation, which is now a tourist attraction.

Cwm Dyli Pipeline – Containing water from Lake Llydaw, this 2 kilometre pipeline runs down the south side of Mt.Snowdon and uses the water to power the hydroelectric station in the valley 320 metres below. Built in 1905 it’s Britain’s oldest power station, and is believed to be one of the oldest Grid-connected hydro-electric stations in the world.

Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power Station – Closed in 1991, the nuclear power station is expected to take 100 years to complete its decommission.

Alwen Forest – An area of forest under Welsh Government Woodland Estate management to protect and diversify the woodland in a sustainable way.

Alwen Dam – A reservoir listed under the Drinking Water Protected Area for Wales which maintains riparian habitat and improves water quality.

Artist Statement:

Emma Stevenson is a London based photographic artist who uses predominately analogue techniques. Her work mainly consists of landscapes which often draw on personal experiences. Through documentation of subtle observations, she persuades viewers to see compositions in a different light.

Emma Stevenson studied BA (Hons) Photographic Arts at the University of Westminster, London and graduated in 2018.

After completing her studies, she was chosen to participate in the Travers Smith CSR Art Programme 2018 with her series Altered Lands.

Altered Lands was also featured in the Photograd Highly Commended 2018 Photography Graduates

Websiteemmastevenson.orgInstagram @emmastevenson.photoYear2019