eighth exhibition - Louie Palu - Cage Call: Life and Death in the Hard Rock Mining Belt
Louie Palu
Photojarnalist
Canadian born Sept. 29, 1968
Photographer Louie Palu graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1991 and moved to New York City that same year on a scholarship where he interned to photographer Mary Ellen Mark. Upon completion of his studies in New York he returned to Toronto and began working as a freelance photographer for newspapers and magazines. In 2001 he became a staff photojournalist at Canada’s National Newspaper, The Globe And Mail where he is currently employed.
Louie’s work has appeared in numerous books, catalogues and exhibitions including the photojournalism festival Visa Pour L’Image in Perpignan, France, Internationale Fototage in Mannheim/Ludwigshafen, Germany, George Eastman House in Rochester, New York, and the Ping Yao International Photography Festival in Ping Yao, China. Louie is the recipient of numerous awards including a silver medal from the Society of Newspaper Design, an honourable mention in the Gordon Parks International Photo contest and a 2nd prize in the documentary category of the Nikon Photo Contest International.
Louie’s work is included in numerous private and public collections including the National Archives of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Cage Call: Life and Death in the Hard Rock Mining Belt
Photographs taken 1991-2003
'Canada’s stock exchanges are the world leaders in mine finance and development, built by the profits and corporations based in the region examined. I gained unprecedented access to some of the world’s deepest and largest underground mines and smelters. I also documented some of the most militant labour unions in North American history.
This body of work documents my journey through Canada’s hard rock mining region in Northern Ontario and Quebec. The photographs show the people, land and work involved in heavy industry involving underground mining and smelting operations. The images chronicle both daily life and the conflict between corporations and labour. This has resulted in one of the most in depth and unique social studies of the global modern mining industry based in Canada. The result is a reflection on the relationship between industry, the environment and the human race.
As the son of Italian immigrant labourers, I have always been fascinated by the politics of work. By examining the social issues surrounding workers, we gain a clearer understanding of class structure and the ongoing power struggles in the global economy.
This is a selection of 30 images from a body of work of over 70 images.'
Lester smoking after drilling in a bypass drift. Kerr Mine, Virginiatown, Ontario.
Ralf Schmidt and the late Guy Bruneau timbering a staging for drilling a breast in a shrinkage stope, 1300 foot level. Kerr Mine, Virginiatown, Ontario.
Tram crew Dave and Shaggy having lunch room. Kerr Mine, Virginiatown, Ontario.
Miner with "White hand" also known as Hand Virbration Syndrome and is caused by working the drills and destroys circulation in the hands causing the hands to go numb. Kerr Mine, Virginiatown, Ontario.
Entering the cage for day shift; Kerr Mine No.3 shaft. Virginiatown, Ontario.
Miners entering the cage age for night shift, Kerr Mine No.3 shaft, Virginiatown, Ontario.
Tom Ranelli lifelong member of the Mine Mill Smelterman's Union Local 598, which is the last local of one of the most militant union in North American history, Sudbury, Ontaio.
Bill Whelan who had his arm torn his body while working on the rock crusher at the St. Andrews Gold Mine located near Timmins, Ontario.
Former gold miner Bill Lee who suffered a head injury underground at the Pamour Mine in Timmins, Ontario.
Huey McLinnis, a paralyzed shaft miner in Sudbury, Ontario, looks in the mirror while shaving before going to church. He has been paralyzed from the chest down for over 25 years after an accident in a mine shaft which has restricted him to (couldn't get any information after here, sorry)