The Russian Doll Project debuts at Swansea gallery

In the summer of 2023, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s (SWFRS) Cardiff Gate Training and Development Centre played host to an artist’s vision; with the aid of a 15ft fire, and a box camera built inside a large Russian doll. Now, the resulting work is on display at the Glynn Vivian gallery in Swansea until mid-May.

The Russian Doll project is the brainchild of Penarth artist Kristel Trow, and seeks to explore the sensitive subject of violence through photography and symbolism. Championing women, the artist aimed to unite them in their shared experiences of abuse and adversity.

The subjects – survivors of violence and domestic abuse and their families – were photographed by Kristel using a specially built camera which sits within a large, heavy replica of popular Russian dolls.

Kristel contacted SWFRS to utilise the hazmat rig at their Training and Development Centre – in need of a large fire to feature in the backdrop of her work – and for poignant reasons. Kristel was photographing Carol Whicher, whose niece, Clare Wood, was abused, harassed, murdered, and subsequently set on fire by her then ex-boyfriend. The man was known to the Police and had previously served custodial sentences for domestic violence offences.

This horrific act of violence inspired Clare’s father, Michael Brown, to successfully campaign for the passing of Clare’s Law – also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) – giving people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.

Whilst Michael sadly passed away in 2020, Carol has been carrying on his legacy ever since. Having travelled down from Aberdeen to Cardiff to feature in the project in July of 2023, Carol commented on the opening night of the exhibition:

“Kristel lit the spark. I’ve waited a long time to raise this awareness.

“When Michael started his campaign, he felt like a voice in the wilderness. But he didn’t devote 12 years of his life for it not to be implemented as it should be. When he sadly passed away, I took up the baton to carry on his legacy and his work.”

Kristel captured Carol, stoically seated, with a huge fire raging behind her, whilst Firefighters stood by to make sure the exercise was carried out in a safe and controlled way.

Kristel says:

“The shoot we did in collaboration with Carol Whicher and Cardiff Gate Training Facility was an extremely powerful and important one in order to highlight Clare’s Law. I’m still very grateful to South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for supporting us on this.”

Carol and Kristel hope the project will help to spread the message of Clare’s Law, and the wider message of the strength of women around the world who face abuse every day, to as wide an audience as possible.

To find out more about The Russian Doll Project, visit: https://www.glynnvivian.co.uk/whats-on/kristel-trow-the-russian-doll/