Photographer Meg Garczynska tells us about her life, her passion for photography and her love of the Welsh Valleys.
MEG GARCZYNSKA
What's a nice Polish girl like you doing in Wales?
I came to Wales to work, as life in Poland wasn't, and still isn't, easy. I was nineteen years old, so still very young, without any experience and not knowing the language. Everything was really scary and new for me. Living away from everything that you love so much isn't easy. I left my parents and brother, and all of my friends, to come here.
So, what where you doing before you left Poland?
I was studying German at university in Poland but studying over there is very expensive and not so easy like here. Full time studies are forty hours a week with loads of homework and exams, so you don't really have time to work to earn some money to pay for basic living costs. After working here for two years I started thinking about going to university here, in Wales. My English still wasn't good, but I decided to try.
So, you're enjoying uni life here?
Definitely. In Poland when you choose courses to study you have to think very carefully what will bring some money in the future, not what you'd like to do, so I chose a course which I enjoyed and developed my photography.
I studied and worked full time, and all three years of my BA course have been quite hard. I had to study a lot harder, as I had problems with language. I was also burgled twice and had my computer stolen which had all of my projects stored on it. I've had a lot of bad luck on the way, but I'm graduating in December this year, and I am very proud of that. Yay!
Has the global recession affected your home country?
Recession in Poland is even worse than here! Living costs are very high and wages are much less. I wouldn't call it poverty, but it is a big struggle. Poland is very similar to Wales in many ways - it's very green and beautiful, full of amazing places, fascinating heritage, and interesting people. Because of these similarities I've found it easier to adapt. In the beginning I planned to live in London, but it's way too busy and far too depressing. Now I am happy that I changed my mind and came here.
What do you love about the Valleys?
The Valleys are magical, mysterious and full of charm because of the heritage, industrial past and the people. For example, at Trefil Quarry located on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park you'll find totally different landscapes next to one another. Trefil is mysterious, sad and has many abandoned buildings that are next to green hills, valleys and waterfalls. One of my other favourite places is the Rhondda - it's like two different worlds; houses, hills, trees, river, woods and the remnants of another world underground - dark, full of coal, and dirty, dangerous work.
Who and what inspires you?
People and places, their stories and memories - the people who I meet everyday. I love listening to others, especially older people, they have so much to say, so many forgotten stories. One of my aims is to keep these stories alive. In terms of other artists I think. perhaps, the most influential and inspirational are John Davies, Roger Tiley and John Cornwell.
Do you have a favourite photographic location?
I know just a few local places in Wales, at the moment as I don't have a driving licence yet so the only places I can access are via public transport, or those where I visit with a friend. I can't wait to pass my driving test and buy a car. then I will spend all my free time travelling and photographing!
