VIV COLLIS, a graduate of UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art is reframing perspectives with her latest exhibition, Gwaith Merched at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. Launched on International Women’s Day, it blends archival materials with contemporary photographs to spark conversation and reflection on the role of women in the Welsh workforce.
It was during her bachelor’s degree in Documentary Photography and Visual Activism that she also began researching the role of women in the workplace, a theme that dominates her current exhibition.
She said: “One of my images of a woman, lone working, on her farm was chosen to be shown for an internal exhibition. When fellow students puzzled over why I’d photographed a farmer I replied, ‘because she’s a woman working alone.’
“This was met by surprise – not that she was working alone, but that it was a woman. I’ve always been interested in what people see and read into images.”
Influenced by the theoretical side of her studies, she became more attuned to how images are read and interpreted, which pushed her to highlight the lack of representation of women in non-traditional roles. Her work aligns seamlessly with the ethos of the Documentary Photography and Visual Activism programme, advocating for the subjects she portrays.
Viv explained: “As a woman who has worked in both conventional and non-conventional roles, it was important to me to open up a wider visual dialogue through Gwaith Merched.
“I interviewed the women I photographed, ensuring their voices and stories are represented alongside their portraits, giving further depth to the narrative.”
Gwaith Merched presents a powerful blend of Viv’s own photographs of women in male-dominated roles – such as contemporary arborists, plasterers, and prison workers – alongside historical archival images she was granted access to by the National Waterfront Museum. Together, they reveal that women have long been part of these industries.
The exhibition raises critical questions about how women are represented in the workforce, challenging stereotypes and shining a light on the often-overlooked contributions of women throughout history. The juxtaposition of contemporary and historical images encourages reflection on these overlooked roles and their significance in shaping the workforce today.
Gwaith Merched is on display at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea until 7th September 2025 and admission is free.
