ABOUT
Born and raised in the Gwendraeth Valley, Wales, documentary photographer Huw Alden Davies earned a First-Class BA (Hons) in Photography from the West Wales School of the Arts and completed a Master's in Documentary Photography at the University of Wales, Newport. He later completed a PhD in Art, Media, and Photography at the University of the West of England, Bristol. His academic interests include the philosophy of culture, the phenomena of place, and social philosophy, which inform his creative and teaching practices.
Exploring the interplay between visual and written narratives and studying concepts such as sense of place and cultural Identity, his work has been widely published and featured in many international exhibitions. Selected works are held in the permanent archives of the National Library of Wales, the National Museum of Wales, and the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Davies often explores subjects rooted in his own communities and lived experience, recognising the power of photography and social engagement to tell complex and meaningful stories. His work has been acknowledged by Magnum's Martin Parr, The Association of Photographers, and major Welsh institutions. Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, the British Council, and Ffotogallery, his work has represented Wales internationally.
As a lecturer and Program Director at Carmarthen School of Art, Davies combines teaching with his roles as a photographer, researcher, and artist. His projects examine visual culture and photographic theory through traditional and modern methods, blending critical inquiry with creative practice.
Recent works include 'Prince,' a multimedia reflection on his father's generation; 'Carnifal,' a community project celebrating shared identity; 'The Great Mountain Portrait,' exploring place and community resilience within what is referred to today as a neoliberal society; and ‘Tyisha’, inspired by local history surrounding the Rebecca Riots and John Hughes (Jac Tyisha), linking communities to their heritage, promoting collaboration, and remembrance, focusing on place, identity, and cultural memory.
Exhibitions
Tyisha - Ffoto Cymru, Oriel Henry Thomas - Oct 2026
The Valleys - The National Museum of Wales.
May 2024-Jan 2025.
Legacy - Ffoto Cymru - Oct 2024
Communities of Choice
Kochi, India. Dec 2022-
March 2023.
The Last Valley (Solo Show)
Oriel Myrddin - Mar 2022
Imagining the Nation State - Bay Art, Diffusion Festival - Oct 2021
Oriel Myrddin Open - Oct 2021
Many Voices One Nation.
Senedd / Aberystwyth Arts Centre /Redhouse Merthyr
2019 - 2020
Unveil'd Photobook #1, London.
May 2018
LensThink Photobook Exhibition, Yorkshire.
April 2018
Re:generation. Swansea.
March 2018
40 Years of Here. Oriel Henry Thomas. February 2018
Prince - BildKultur Gallery, Stuttgart. April - May 2017
FELIFA 2016, Argentina. November 2016
Encontros Da Imagem International Photography Festival Portugal. September-November 2016
Prince - Ffotogallery, Turner House. July 2016
Athens Photo Festival - THe Photobook Exhibition - Prince. June-July. 2016
A fine Begining -Made in Wales.
Oriel Colwyn, North-Wales. 2016
Prince Exhibition and publication Launch. Elysium Gallery, Swansea. November 2015
A fine Begining - Made in Wales.
Carousel London. November 2015
Prince - Publication Launch Difusion Festival . Cardiff. October 2015
A fine Begining -Made in Wales. Cardiff MADE. September 2015
Windows, Mirrors and Doors. Photo Place Gallery, Vermont. USA.
May 2015
Seven point seven (solo Exhibition)
Elysium Gallery, Swansea. November 2013
The Valleys Re-Presented.
Diffusion Festival, Cardiff. May 2013
Work in Progress.
Velencia, Spain. September 2012
European Prospects, Fotosommer Stuttgart, Germany. July 2012
Hyphen, Ffotogallery, Cardiff. October 2011
Professional Photographer Awards 2010. London. Spring/summer 2011
Anyhow, Anywhere. Knowl West Media Centre. Bristol. November 2010
Documentary Photography, Work in progress. Ffloc Gallary, Newport. April 2010
Open West Exhibition, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. February – March 2009.
People of Today: Faces of Wales, National Portrait Gallery. London. December 2008 - January 2009.
Old for New - Home Village Exhibition, Tumble, Carmarthenshire. December 2008.
Welsh Development Agency at the Chrysler Building, New York. 2008.
AXA Photographic portrait commission, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. November 2007.
Fear and Hoping Exhibition at Stroud House Gallery, Stroud. 2006.
Final Year Degree Show, West Wales School of the Arts, Carmarthen. 2006.
AOP Student Awards, London. 2006.
ICI Imagedata Student Awards, London. 2006.
Presentations, Residencies and Delegations
Repurposing Photographic Materials Confrance: Transforming Social,
Political, and Cultural Heritage – Leicester. July 2025
Proof 2025 - Post-graduate research symposium – Bristol. May 2025
Heno S4C Photo Award Judge. Mar 2024
Communities of Choice - Artist Panel Discussion - Kochi, India - Feb 2023
The Last Valley - In Conversation with Peter Finnemore and Abby Poulson - May 2022
Imagining the Nation State - Diffusion Festival - Oct 2021
Ffoton - Conversations - Oct 2021
The Phooks Online Photobook
Talk #001 - Nov 2020
Instagram a Symposium - National Museum of Wales
February 2020
GWLAD - Future Wales Festival
Talk - Live from the Senedd
October 2019
ESPY Photo Award Judge 2019
Dreamtigers - Artist talk.
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea.
July 2018
Ffotogallery Delegation Jaipur Photo
February 2018
The Creative Bar Podcast with Jon Wilkening - Sept 2017
Photograd Instagram Artist Residency October 2017
Diffusion Festival Instagram Artist Residency. October 2015
Fotosomer Photography Festival Stuttgart. June 2012
Awards
Arts Council of Wales Creative Professional Grant - 2022
Imagining the Nation State Commission -
Chennai Biennale + Diffusion
November 2020
Many Voices One Nation Commission - The National Assembly For Wales
April 2019
ESPY Photoaward - Book Prize 2017
Arts Council of Wales Creative Professional Grant - 2015
ACW Research and Development Grant - 2015
Arts Council of Wales Creative Professional Grant -2013
Professional Photographer Awards 2010- Commended. January 2011
Open West Awards-Short list. February 2009
Arts Council of Wales Creative Professional Grant - 2007
National Museum of Wales / National Portrait Gallery - AXA Portrait Commission 2007.
First Prize, AOP 2006 Student Photographer of the year.
ICI Imagedata Student Digital Photography Awards 2006 Short List.
First Prize, Band and Brown National Compatition. Judged by Martin Parr, documenting the fortieth anniversary of Kwik Save.
Published
Golau A Photographic Legacy -
2026
Carnifal - March 2022
Many Voices One Nation - Jul 2021
Scaffold to the Moon - Oct 2020
Prince (Book) - October 2015*
Dreamtigers. Ffotogallery - 2018
Magazines and Catalogues:
Offline Journal - Oct 2023
Golwg - 2023
New Welsh Reader - Sum 2022
Nawr Magazine #04 - Winter 2021
Blunderbuss #03 - Aug 2020
Nawr Magazine #02 - Summer 2020
Nawr Magazine #01 - Spring 2020
Y Carnifal (Ffotozine) - 2018
CCQ (Culture Colony Quarterly) - 2015
Mirrors, Windows and Doors, PhotoPlace Gallery - 2015
CCQ (Culture Colony Quarterly) - 2014
CCQ (Culture Colony Quarterly) - 2013
Platfform Magazine - May 2013
Professional Photographer - January 2011
Blown Magazine - November 2010.
Blown Magazine - September 2009.
Porfolio - March-November 2007.
AOP Awards Book 2007.
British Journal of Photography - June 2006.
Image (AOP) - May 2006.
Reviews and Interviews
The Valleys: Reflections (Offline Journal) 2024
In Conversation with Ffoton - October 2021)
Ffoton - One Image - 2021
Welsh Arts Review (Review) - 2021
Source Magazine (Review) #104 - Spring 2021
Nawr Magazine #04 - Winter 2021
Offline Journal (Interview) - New Welsh Photobooks - Nov 2020
Planet Platform (interview)- Jun 2020
Buzz Magazine (Interview) - 2017
Golwg Mag - 2015
CCQ Magazine (Interview) - 2015
