Fathers

Peter Fryer

The lives of two fathers in Seaham, County Durham, undertaking primary childcare responsibilities after the breakdown of a relationship. Developed between 1998 and 2000.

Developed as part of Side Gallery’s Coalfield Stories series commissions, this collaboration between Fryer and writer Graeme Rigby grew initially out of Amber’s research as part of the development of the feature film, Like Father, with which both Barry Gough and Paul Heron helped. Their relationships with their children have been affected by both the opportunities and the difficulties presented by unemployment. Over a two year period, they allowed Fryer and Rigby to work alongside them and their families to develop this documentation of their lives. Barry Gough and his son Callum later participated in Shooting Magpies, the third feature film in Amber’s coalfield trilogy.

All images © Peter Fryer

Text by Graeme Rigby from interviews with Paul Heron & Barry Gough

Exhibition Text

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