Redundant Miner c. 1991

Paul Reas made this photograph, *Redundant Miner*, using photography, and the layering of meaning that it allows. I’m struck by the way Reas focuses on the details – the shovel, the lamp, the brick wall, the walking stick, that massive camera. It's like he's inviting us to look at the texture and color of everyday objects, to see their beauty and significance, but at the same time, this is a staged shot. Think about that shovel for a second, all worn and scarred from use. It’s a potent symbol of labor, of hard work, of a life spent digging. You can almost feel the weight of it in your hands, the strain on your back as you lift it, full of earth. Reas's work is reminiscent of artists like Martin Parr, who capture the beauty and absurdity of modern life. Like them, Reas invites us to find meaning and beauty in the everyday.