The arts and the Welsh working-class: identities and communities

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In an interview from 1972, Pierre Bourdieu affirms "Bientôt on mettra un paysanempaillé au musée."1 He explains that in the context of the France of the early 70s, lower andpoorer classes were meant to disappear. He argues that the arts are genuinely talking aboutthis issue at that time.First, the purpose of this study is to explore the representation of the Welsh workingclassin the arts. Then, to analyse the perception of people from this social class on their ownrepresentation in the arts. The study will be focusing on this relationship between the arts andthe Welsh working-class. In the context of massive economic changes with the rise of the gigeconomy and precarious jobs (The Guardian, 2019), it is particularly interesting to highlightthe social changes lived by people from the working-class. Therefore, their representation inthe arts can give a unique perception of those changes and of changing identities. It isnecessary here, to understand arts in a large definition, including any kind of arts, from musicto TV series, paintings or photography.In this study, I will address the issue of a potential glorification of a strong industrialpast through the arts, which contribute to shaping particular types of social and culturalidentities.