The coal industry in Northern Spain has been more than just a source of employment; it has shaped a way of life that is now on the verge of extinction. Since the late 19th century, coal mines have given rise to a unique culture that is fading away. Spain's economic crisis has expedited the decline of coal mining, rendering it financially unsustainable.
'Mina Escondida' (Hidden Mine), located in León, is one of the last remnants of this era. It stands as one of the few remaining artisanal coal mines in Spain, but its operations came to a halt in 2016 after over 50 years of activity. Over the past two years, I have documented the miners' labor and captured images of items discovered within the mine, as well as some of their personal possessions, which serve as living relics of a bygone culture.
This project was commissioned for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Castilla y León (MUSAC) in Spain