Mayday

Mayday shows the importance of traditions, old and new, from across the UK. Collected from 48 different communities since 2020, interviews were made into a series of short portraits.

For each tradition, a community or individual is followed first-hand so that the celebration is seen and experienced through their eyes. Together the documentation of these events shows the importance of community, culture, ritual and celebration for groups and individuals from across the UK. The significance of these traditions is felt, with them having survived the difficulties of the pandemic.

Throughout month of May, Stella and Dorothy created work in response to these interviews by recording the rites and rituals of Spring.

Research and print series in collaboration with Dorothy Feaver. The project continues as a film series.

Sun Ritual, Jocelyn

London Igbo Festival, Mazi

Ashbourne Shrovetide Football, Gareth

Seed Sistas, Karen

May Dew, Suzanne

Maldon Mud Race, Leigh

Margate Blessings of the Seas, Marios

Manchester Chinese New Year, Jenny

I’m getting a bit emotional. My grandfather, who I never met, had horses. He provided the horses for the kind and the consort and he was a very proud man. My grandma was amazing and always did our dresses. There are lots of people that have been involved with it that aren’t here anymore. We remember those who were very much involved and are no longer with us.

So that’s what it means as a family and as a village.

I love it because I feel very grounded to the village. This is my home. The earth. The hills. The trees. It’s like we do it for the village.

Castleton Garland Day, Julie