Elaine McMillion Sheldon, American
Coal miner visits elementary school, 2023
In this image from Sheldon’s film King Coal, coal miner Fred Powers talk to an elementary school classroom about his time in the mines. He made a choice to come into the classroom with coal dust still on his face and shirt to show the children the realities of working in the mines. The contrast of the clean whiteboard to the dirt on his face shows how out of place he seems in this environment. Children should not be exposed to coal, which in turn brings attention to Fred, as in reality no one should be exposed to coal the way he is daily. Label by Lucas Theobald