Grassick had begun photographing the industrial estate in the late 1970s as part of a commission for Beamish Museum. His return to Ramar more than a decade later marked the end of a long story of local manufacturing, documenting not just the decline of one workplace but the wider erosion of post-industrial hopes.

The photographs offer a quiet, observational record of working lives and the dignity of labour, as well as the camaraderie and resilience of those facing redundancy. Ramar Goodbye reflects Amber’s wider commitment to documenting social change in the North East and to marking the passing of once-promised futures.

Richard Grassick is a British photographer and filmmaker whose work often focuses on communities in transition, both locally and internationally. He was an active collaborator with Amber Films and Side Gallery through the 1980s and 90s, producing a range of socially engaged projects that explored identity, belonging and representation.

With a background in both still and moving image, Grassick has worked extensively across Europe, particularly in Germany, developing projects that connect personal stories with broader political contexts. His practice is rooted in documentary traditions, but often extends into experimental and participatory modes of production.

Grassick’s commitment to collaborative practice and underrepresented voices has defined much of his career, and his work remains part of the wider legacy of community-focused photography and film in Britain.