For more than ten years, Sophie Green has been working on documenting the communities, subcultures and social gatherings that make up a picture of contemporary Britain.
The result is celebratory, bold and beautiful, a document and a testament to what makes up our nation and those who inhabit it.
It takes a look at what consists of British identity, something which Sophie astutely observes is not fixed. She says, “It is continuously constructed by those who live here today. This complexity makes Britain a rich source of stories and inspiration for my work. From the adrenaline thrill of banger racing, where drivers deliberately smash cars they’ve spent weeks meticulously preparing, to the vibrant chaos of traveller horse fairs, with horse trading, cockerel fights and social reunions; from Aladura Spiritualist African church congregations sharing hymns and Nigerian dishes to Sunday services, to modified street car festivals that transform pimped-out vehicles into symbols of masculinity, to Irish dance clubs, British cowboy shows and beyond – these gatherings are a window into the search for joy, meaning and connection. They illuminate a Britain shaped by a patchwork of voices and stories.”
Part of the work explores communities which are under a very real threat of disappearing. Whether that be due to council restrictions, the loss of certain spaces, gentrification and the ever-present threat of discrimination, long-standing traditions face being lost altogether if they cannot or will not be carried forward by the next generation.
To make her pictures, Sophie is very keen on sustained engagement and collaboration. Portraits are created through repeated visits and an ongoing dialogue. Through this, she builds up a special trust which gives the participants a chance to shape their own representations. Some of the communities she has worked with for over a decade, showing a huge level of commitment.
Sophie is keen to challenge stereotypes, as well as highlighting communities that exist on the fringes of society. The bold and vibrant use of colour has been described by a friend as “like a kid who ate loads of Skittles and vomited them back up”, something which Sophie says was a great compliment.
As well as the images from Tangerine Dreams, also on show is a selection from Sophie’s forthcoming book and exhibition British death rituals, which will be shown in a vitrine display in the exhibition space. Interestingly, as part of the series, Sophie was asked to document Martin Parr himself’s funeral – some of which can be seen in the display.
This is an evocative and proud exhibition, and one which shows us the beauty in diversity across our nation. I highly recommend a visit.
Tangerine Dreams: Rituals of Belonging in Contemporary British Life by Sophie Green runs at the Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol until 6 September. Entry is free. See the gallery website for opening times.
For those who can’t make it to the show, a 2nd edition of the book of the same name is also available, with a foreward by Gerry Badger.
Related reading:
- One of the last books that legendary photographer Martin Parr ever worked on – finished just days before his death
- What’s it like to exhibit alongside Martin Parr and Don MCullin?
- 60 Years in Britain: this award-winning photographer reveals a rarely-seen side to British culture
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