'Showtime' at Messums Wiltshire Gallery. Dates 22 October – 28 November 2021.
Throughout time, tribal communities have always had a celebratory showtime or ceremony. These events are identifying signposts of a culture, a physical display of identity, a positive expression of life, and of who we are. Empowering it’s participants to reinforce and transmit their values, customs, passion and identity.
In this unique display, my three series ‘Gypsy Gold’, ‘A Day at the Races’ & ‘Dented Pride’ all documenting the 'Showtime' of under-represented subcultures & communities in Britain, are exhibited side by side. Taken at events, shows and fairs across the UK, my images explore the fashion styles, mannerisms, cultural customs and rituals deployed in the social gatherings that define each group.
‘Dented Pride’ comprises a series of Banger and Stock car surface abstractions. This contact motor sport encourages its participants to smash their repurposed bangers into each other - the winner is the last car in motion. Where some would only see damage and destruction, I saw beauty in the dented, scratched and textured surfaces of the car exteriors.
Images from my series ‘A Day at the Races’ present a different window into the UK car racing scene, from regional racetracks to super-sized modified car festivals depicting a colourful world whereby pimped-up machines are fashioned as metallic extensions of their young drivers. Within the subculture of the ‘boy racer’ the car is frequently perceived to be a symbol of masculinity, prestige and respect.
‘Gypsy Gold’ captures the main calendar events of the Traveller world - horse fairs. Here horses are traded, girls search for husbands and family and friends from far and wide reunite. It was through this window that I was able to expose the characteristics of this unique and colourful aspect of traveller culture.
Curious to push the boundaries of traditional social documentary practice - I like to play with a balance of spontaneous documentary realism combined with stylised constructions. Merging portraiture and still life images, I’m drawn to the details that surround my subjects as a way of revealing a deeper story of person and place. Colourful, graphic and sometimes humorous incidentals punctuate the compositions within each series to heighten their resonance.
