THE LAST VALLEY SCAFFOLD TO THE MOON
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
A dramatic and humorous study of a man called Prince, exploring visual and written narrative through the medium of the Photobook and Blog.
Known as Prince, John Alden Davies, has been recognised by this namesake for most of his life. By his friends, his family, and by all that have met him, and although, to him this was simply a name, to a boy (the artist) with little knowledge or care in the world, this was colossal. To him, his father was royalty, although not like Prince Charles, whom was a man married to a Princess called Diana and peered inanimately from a plate on the dining room wall, but a hero like Prince Adam of Eternia (except without a ‘Battle Cat’, or a sword).
Attempting to reconnect with his curious childhood adulations, Davies began to record this man and his eccentricities through photographic and illustrative story telling, resulting in a colourful and detailed portrait, touching on the age old tales of boy to man, while exploring the physiological and cultural elements that inform the image that should have once been his role model.
" I took him shopping this week. I told him to get what he wanted and I’ll do the food shop. Five minutes he was back and ready to go. He had everything he wanted. 36 cans of Guinness, £12 worth of pick ‘n mix, and a security guard, who was busy telling him he couldn’t smoke in the store". Pearl
Reviews
“The author’s illustrative anecdotal storytelling that truly breathes life into this acutely personal document of the life and history of his family”. Wales Arts Review
"This book is extremely touching, and that comes across in the way Davies takes care to observe and record everything with the mindset of a curator, and the heart of a son". Cary Benbow (F-Stop)
“One of the more surprising and light-hearted publications of the past few years in which the extraordinariness of an ordinary life is rendered with care… a fond ribbing”. Matt Johnson (Photomonitor).
This is a book about love, affection, and humour, but also about the symbols of masculinity in class that are passed on through a Welsh sense of nostalgia, and then bypassed as foundations for a new life sought. There is a communion here between father and son which is low-key and rather touching. Richard West (Source Magazine)
Prince is a total character and the stories Davies tells made me laugh out loud on almost every page. Scaffold' is inexpensive and well worth it, if you want to read all about a near-perfect, typically-Welsh rockstar(-in-his-own-mind). James Cockroft (Photobook Reviews)
'Scaffold to the Moon' by @AldenHuw amazing photobook like no other. Ross Wheatley
“OMG, this book is genius!! Everything about this is amazing. Especially you”. Patricia Lay Dorsey
“An absolutely brilliant piece of work by Huw Alden Davies”. Phil Scully
“This is a great publication. The narrative text and writing is wonderful. So many laughs and reflections on life”. Sebastian Bustamante
“And utterly amazing book from Huw Alden Davies, dust of that purse”. Al Brydon
“It's been a long journey for Huw Alden Davies and it's a beautiful book and a great project, so worth the wait”. David Drake.
"Super stoked to get my copy of this beautiful book, an equally moving and exhilarating tribute to unique parents and to tactility. Magic, Huw!". Michal Iwanowski
“What a book! A treasure of text and imagery. I'll enjoy reading through this. Very well done Huw. I'm going to take a lot of inspiration from this”. Robert Law
“This should come with an emotional warning, seriously. I am crying one minute and the next, I’m laughing my head off. WTF is that about. Fab book”. Tina Thomas
“It's an excruciating rollercoaster of emotions I'm left with the ball in my stomach reading the ‘off to the homes’ lines. It's deeply sad and funny in equal measures. But. Most of all knowing not not striking someone with a frying pan is true love, it's epic. Thank you”. Michael Ditch
“Sat down this morning with a cup of tea, got to read and look through some lovely photographs and words by Huw Alden Davies in his new book ‘Scaffold to the Moon’ it was so honest funny and intriguing. I loved reading about Prince and his numerous collections and inventions, such as the toilet Roll warmer. Genius. Check it out if you get the chance”. Millie Bethel
“I was excited to get my copy of Huw Alden Davies’ Scaffold to the Moon, A study of Huw’s father and community, and where his father grew up. This book is so nicely produced and the photos are gorgeous. The stories inside about Prince are actually laugh out loud funny, while some of the sections are really sweet and thought-provoking. I enjoyed this a lot. I love reading about relationships and characters, and scaffold to the moon brings all its characters to life so well”. Martha O’Bien (Nawr Mag)
“Love love love this so much. A beautiful book about life. the beauty, absurdity, hilarity and tenderness of life and our relationships within. We all have stories like these and people like these. When we are separated from so many people this is a timely reminder of better days. Wonderful to support this artists work. Get yourself a copy now before they sell out.” Imogen Mills
“We are so enjoying this fantastic book right now. No book at any other time has been discussed more in the house than this one. You read one paragraph and it triggers 20 minutes of pictures in your brain. It’s beyond a class act”. Tim Lyn
“I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying this book. I've just read the cake in the face surprise I love the way I can pick it up and have a read have a look and go back again as you actually have to do as it's so full of life in that moment”. Nanw Jenkins
“I am loving this book. Honestly I've had so many laugh out loud moments”. Emma Louise Walters
ALSO AVAILABLE:
Size: 240 x 280mm
Pages: 52 Pages Including Text
and Photographs
Soft Cover Perfect Bound
Edition of 1200
Self Published
Date: October 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9564952-6-6
Price: £10.00
(For international sales please
add another £7.00 for Postage)
Prince, Huw Alden Davies’ first publication explores the lines of photographic and illustrative story telling, using an arrangement of photographs and short texts to create a detailed portrait that forms a dramatic, and often humorous study of the artist’s father, a bi-product of a generation, and his slanted views of the world.
More
October 12, 2017
It was a project that started as a small personal study of one man’s father, but it ended up being so much more.
Photographer Huw Alden Davies has been documenting life through the lens of his home village of Tumble in the Gwendraeth Valley, Carmarthenshire , for the past decade, but two years ago he decided to turn the focus to his flesh and blood - namely his dad John, known to many as Prince.
October 12, 2017
Award-winning documentary photographer Huw Alden Davies speaks with Buzz about his series that captures the eccentricities of his father.
September 25, 2017
We couldn't help but jump on board when Newport, University of Wales MA graduate Huw Alden Davies announced a Kickstarter campaign for his brand new book, Scaffold to the Moon.
October 09, 2017
The Creative Bar By Jon Wilkening - To listen to the audio podcast, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to download and subscribe to podcasts.
November 01, 2015
Huw Alden Davies Talks to Francesca Donovan about Documenting Tumble and his Publication 'Prince'.
September 30, 2015
Huw Alden Davies talks to Photograd about Photobook - Prince
July 14, 2016
Where Will I Be | Walter Waygood & Huw Alden Davies
15 July 2016 Opening Night of the Exhibition.
Where Will I Be is an exhibition featuring two Welsh photographers, Walter Waygood and Huw Alden Davies, whose work is rooted in the place they come from, the South Wales Valleys, and revolves around their immediate family, friends and a colourful cast of local characters.
