THE ABYSM is a body of work exploring mental health and loneliness. Originally conceived as a book, Phillips began a collaboration with his father exploring the emotions of regret and inertia following the collapse of his business in 1980s post-industrial Wales. Unable to fulfil the role of financial provider and protector of their family, Phillips’ father slowly withdrew during this period of unemployment. For thirty years the fear of failure and the guilt of patriarchal inaction manifested itself into clinical depression. It was upon the recent diagnosis of a life-threatening disease that repressed emotions overflowed and his father suffered a mental breakdown. The initial documentary approach evolved into more than thirty photobook maquettes, installations and sculptures, that draw on the symbolism of the surrounding natural environment and focus on his domestic routines and perspectives.

The Le Space exhibition will present a deconstructed photobook, in the form of sculpture and book-page mobiles, revealing a final finished photobook, which will be available in a handmade edition of 20.

GARETH PHILLIPS is a photographer exploring contemporary definitions of the photobook, creating them as objects, sculptures and installations. He has an established international exhibition and award history, and was a finalist for the 2023 Aesthetica Art Prize, The KG+ Kyotographie Japan Award, The Gomma New Flavours Award, the winner of the 2023 RAKFAF Festival Award for Sculpture and was recently featured in the British Journal of Photography's 'Spatial Awareness' issue. He is an alumni of the Reflexions Masterclass and is based between the UK and Spain.

Instagram @garethphillips_

This exhibition has been supported by Art Council of Wales & Wales Arts International.

Opening Thursday 15th February 6 - 8 pm // Showing until Thursday 7th March

Exhibition hours for the duration of the show: Fri & Sat 12 - 2pm.

Outside of these times, please make an appointment through Instagram DM, email@le-space.com or 0419725916.