Photographer Sam Wright became curious about Traveller communities after learning that his great grandmother had been forced to denounce her Irish Traveller heritage upon marriage. Over the course of two years he journeyed to eight fairs across the UK and Ireland to create a contemporary portrait of the resilient and vibrant Traveller and Romani Gypsy communities he encountered.
It was very clear that many people have misunderstood Travellers and Romani Gypsies, and I was shocked by the open prejudice towards this community. I wanted to tell the real story of the people I met and counter the misrepresentative media portrayal…As mounting challenges threaten the Traveller and Romani Gypsy communities, I believe it's time for a positive change in attitudes, and I hope this project contributes to that shift.’
Wright began his project at Appleby Horse Fair—the largest annual gathering of Traveller and Romani people which has taken place since 1775. Before he visited the fair he was warned not to attend—he was told there would be trouble and that his equipment would be stolen—demonstrating the widespread prejudice facing the often misrepresented and maligned community. In spite of warnings, he persisted and was warmly welcomed by the community, quickly building relationships with a number of families as he listened to and recorded their stories on film and in photographs. He went on to visit fairs across Yorkshire, Norfolk, Cumbria, Galway and Cork.
The colour photographs in Wright’s resulting book—Pillar to Post—provide a counterpoint to the stigmatising TV show depictions of Traveller and Romani Gypsy communities of recent years. He depicts the warm bond and respect between multi-generational families and friends. Focusing particularly on the young, the photographs show the co-existence of tradition and modernity and create a record of the endangered community as land for them to inhabit becomes increasingly scarce.
227 x 290 mm
144pp, 72 images
Hardback
ISBN 978-1-915423-53-5