If I Could Keep You Here, I Would

“Harriet’s photographs are a beautiful depiction of Britain’s working-class. They are honest and raw, aesthetically pleasing and kind to her subjects. Harriet’s work is both personal and relatable. Quotes made by her dad resonates with my own experience of moving out of a working-class village to the ‘big city’. I am looking forward to seeing more of Harriet’s work on her hometown and how this project develops.” - Bethany Kane "If I Could Keep You Here, I Would" explores the inner battle of whether or not to stay in your hometown and live the life that is expected of you versus stepping into the unknown and finding your own path. Growing up as part of a large working-class family, there is this strong attachment to each other, relying on one another for support and guidance. My family has never left my hometown, and my generation was the first to pursue university education. It was not just a battle to do an art degree, but to go to university at all. We have survived pretty well so far, why change?