Coal Face is a freestanding piece that measures 2.4m high and fabricated using bronze cast. Developed through workshops with the local community, the piece is symbolic of a miner’s head. The head appears as though it is emerging from the mine underground, returning to daylight once more and admiring the landscape beyond.

Coal Face incorporates multiple portraits of local miners onto the various surfaces that make up the face. The face has a rock like quality. From the front, the portraits are seen in detail, but from the back a simpler ‘rock like’ surface is seen. The faces have been etched onto the surface, so that on closer inspection an additional layer of meaning can be enjoyed.

When seen from the front, the face appears normal but when seen from the back, an intriguing optical illusion takes place. As the viewer approaches the reverse side of the head, the face appears to ‘turn’ and follow the viewer as they walk past.