· Lady Miner ·
Lady Miner is a tribute to the gritty lifestyle of generations of geologists within my family, dedicated to working in mines across the U.S. Throughout my life, I’ve learned extensively about geology from my grandfather, and now my younger sister, who has followed in his footsteps into the geology and mining profession. Their discussions often bring up the moral conflicts surrounding the cost of providing resources for human development, weighed against the severe impact on both the environment and human health. While mining has supported technological and infrastructure advancements, my sister’s research is increasingly focused on sustainable practices that minimize environmental harm.
Photographed at Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass, Alaska, the self-portraits serve as a stand-in for my sister, re-envisioning these historically male-dominated environments with the presence of a young woman. This work reflects the ache of my complex ties to mining, both in my family’s history and my concern for the land, through the labor that binds them.
