In Brest, photographer Thierry Richard magnifies tram workers [En images]

Thursday 26th December 2024 05:21 PM

It is a silhouette that has naturally imposed itself on the streets of Brest. Often wrapped up in his leather jacket, Thierry Richard photographs time and the people who pass, day by day. He walks about “12 km a day, that’s not a lot,” and takes part in all the cultural events and all the social conflicts. His thing is faces. The faces of men and women, here and there, happy or tired, struggling or celebrating. Also at work. Also, “when work on the second tram line” began, he immediately focused on the work of these workers, “those we barely talk about but who are the basis of everything”. That he worked “fifteen years in public works” does not change much in the matter. Thierry Richard deeply loves people, and his photos show it for him.

On the next tram route, the majority of workers are men. “There are fewer women, but I wanted to show that they were also in the action.” (Photo Thierry Richard)

A new image

The affair was not easy. Over the months, he has established himself as a regular presence with the teams who are changing the face of the city. “I was tired of only reading things about Cuillandre and money when we talk about the next tram,” he still complains today. I just wanted to recognize these people in their work.” He got involved with “My network is growing”, with the Colas company. The lights turned green very quickly, also because it is not a question of money.

“You should know that teams are arriving from far away to build this tram,” says Thierry Richard, who met “people from Amiens, from the Paris region” on the site, but also a group of Romanians or a Malian. He multiplied the portraits, sympathized. “Guys, they don’t know Brest. So, I direct them to find the bar where they can watch the match, for example.”

In addition to numerous portraits, Thierry Richard also occasionally captures team scenes, reminding us that these gigantic works are above all collective. (Photo Thierry Richard)

One thing led to another, Thierry Richard gave them their portraits, captured in the dust and welding. “There are unexpected and cool returns. The wife of one of them contacted me to have the photo of her husband, she was proud of it. She told me that it gave her the opportunity to see her partner in a light that she is unfamiliar with.”

Workers come from all over France and even Mali to allow the second tram line to be ready on time. Thierry Richard immortalizes them. (Photo Thierry Richard)

The looks of the workers are often the gateway to the shots constructed by the photographer. Like keys to understanding the difficulty of the work and the courage of the men. (Photo Thierry Richard)

An idea from “below”

For the moment, the portraits are circulating here and there, particularly on his Facebook pages. “We had the idea of taking a photo for a greeting card. There were about a hundred of us supposed to meet, but it was stormy outside. Some had already returned home, others finished work late before the construction site was interrupted for the holidays.” The operation, made impossible this time, will undoubtedly be carried out in January, “to thank and show off to the people of Brest”. For Thierry Richard, the main thing is to make this promise a reality, commanded by no one other than all of them. He is certain: the idea, the good one, “often comes from below, more rarely from above”.

Art
France