Chimney Sweeper

The role of the chimney sweeper is to clean chimneys, smoke ducts, fireplaces and flues in order to prevent gas emissions and soot fires. It was a tough and life-shortening profession. The people employed were often orphans or from poor backgrounds, sold into work by their parents. Today it is disappearing, but working conditions have improved significantly.

Setting: Germany Status: Critically Endangered

From "RETROSPECTRA: Vanishing Labors", Mirkolis 2023. Mixed AI, digital post-production, selenium toning, PNG 5376x3584