Artist Statement
My recent work Mummers, Maypoles and Milkmaids: A Journey through the English Ritual Year began by a chance encounter with Deptford Jack-in-the-Green in south London in 2006. Reminiscent of the ancient celebrations of Saturnalia or the medieval festivals of Misrule, the revived Jack-in-the-Green represented a reinvented ‘Merrie England’ played out in contemporary London. This prompted my fascination with seasonal rites in England and the desire to photograph such events as they unfold.
I have travelled to rural and industrial locations throughout England to photograph more than fifty costumed processions, symbolic and sacred drama, traditional dance, street music and fire ceremonies that celebrate the cycles of nature. Many of these customs incorporate ancient imagery, and are kept alive by local communities who believe that rituals can forge a dynamic connection between past, present and future. My aim has been to explore the coexistence of tradition and modernity, and how folkloric practice has evolved in response to changing social needs.
Mummers, Maypoles and Milkmaids: A Journey through the English Ritual Year, published by Merrell in 2011, is accompanied by a touring exhibition on show at the Horniman Museum in London from 22 October 2011 – 5 September 2012.
Resume
Sara Hannant has been a freelance photographer for more then 20 years, she has exhibited widely and her social documentary work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers. Her book Mummers, Maypoles and Milkmaids: A Journey through the English Ritual Year, published by Merrell in 2011, is accompanied by a touring exhibition on show at the Horniman Museum in London from 22 October 2011 – 5 September 2012.
Sara graduated in MA Transnational Arts at Camberwell College of Arts, Documentary Photography at Newport and Art and Design in Social Contexts at Dartington College of Arts. Sara has worked extensively within the voluntary sector including international assignments for UNICEF, VSO and Womankind Worldwide. She has also initiated and run over twenty collaborative photography projects devised to empower marginalised groups in the UK and abroad. She is a visiting lecturer in Visual Journalism at City University in London.
Previous solo exhibitions include ; Harvest (2006) and Bread St (2004) both launched at City Hall in London. Earlier work includes Mixed Emotions (Sheridan Russell Gallery 2002) and Reaching Out (Oxo Tower 2001). In recognition for her photography she received the Resurgence Photography Award 2006, Arts Council England project awards in 2004 and 2005, The Royal Society of Arts Young Artist of the Year Award in 1995 and BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Capture the World in 1994.
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