Coal #1 - Limited Edition 1 of 50 Photograph by Cathal Carey

Photography: Color, Digital, Paper on Paper.

Coal, the dirtiest of fossil fuels, is presented as a beautiful object. The subversion of what it does reminds us that the world is not dirty, there is so much beauty... even in a lump of coal.

Cathal Carey began photography aged 10 and was immediately overwhelmed by the analogue photographic process. His addiction to black and white photography has evolved into the digital age, displayed by a subdued tonal range. He literally crafts his light by hand and is a master of studio photography. His personal work subverts the very nature of objects as he transforms them in his dark and dangerous world.

The images created display a sensual and seductive aesthetic while appealing to the retinal touch. His subject matter plays with the erotic, the lethal and damnation on his dark dramatic stage in the studio. His major influences include Caravaggio, Baroque, Brassai and film noir.


Title Coal #1. Limited Edition of 50.

Print is 20" x 14". Image is 18" x 12". (1" border on all sides).

The print is signed, dated & numbered.

Digital print on Kodak Enduro Metallic Photographic paper.


Cathal Carey. Born 1978 Dublin.

Lives and works in Teesside, North East UK.

BA in photography Cleveland College of Art and Design.

Professional Qualifying Exam from the BIPP.