Name: Drummies Special Edition
SKU: 4994
Price: 300.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Drummies Special Edition

Alice Mann

£300.00

Shipping from January 2022
240 x 290 mm, 128 pp
63 colour images
Hardback, clothbound, foil debossed
Edition of 100 copies
Book and print in a slipcase
ISBN 978-1-910401-66-8

Edition of 100 copies with 10 print options available to choose from.
One 10×8” C-type print, signed and presented in a bespoke designed slipcase. (Limited edition of 10 for each print). Please email orders@gostbooks.com to let us know which print you would like.

Available prints:

1. Wakiesha Titus and Riley Van Harte, The Avondale Primary Majorettes, Cape Town, 2018

2. Tamzleigh De Kock, Wakiesha Titus, Riley Van Harte, Claresha Nano, Chrishey Sassman, Charity Adams, Kesia Plaatjies, Erin Carolus, Aneeqah Meyer and Linomtha Makaleni, The Avondale Primary Majorettes Cape Town, 2018

3. The Hillcrest Primary Majorettes Grabouw, 2018

4. Hilce Rhode looks over her team leader Eden Adolph’s shoulder, The Helderkruin Primary Drum Majorettes, Cape Town, 2018

5. Claresha Nano, Charity Adams and Wakiesha Titus, The Avondale Primary Majorettes, Johannesburg, 2018

6. Lamique Ward, team leader of The Newclare Primary Majorettes
Johannesburg, 2018

7. Caitlin Engelbrecht, Cheri Leigh Burger, Jordyn Smit and Britnay Engelbrecht, Laerskool Helderkruin Drum Majorettes, Johannesburg, 2019

8. The Laerskool Helderkruin Drum Majorettes, Johannesburg, 2018

9. Tanique Williams, The Hottentots-Holland High Majorettes, Cape Town, 2018

10. Chloe Heydenrych, Paige Titus, Ahsnique Paulse, Elizabeth Jordan, Tammy baantjies and Chleo de kock, The Fairmont High Majorettes, Durbanville, Cape Town, 2018

Standard and signed edition available

Press: Creative Review,The Eye of Photography,Bilderstrum, Herald Scotland, The Cut, CNN, Wallpaper, Independent, Glorious, FT How to Spend it, Lensculture

Description

This a long-term project, by South African photographer Alice Mann, explores the unique sport of drum majorettes. The images depict the aspirational subculture surrounding all-female teams of drum majorettes affectionately known as ‘Drummies’. The publication of this new book coincides with an exhibition of the project at Kunsthal Rotterdam until 23 January 2021.

The sport of drum majorettes has a long history in South Africa, becoming popular in the early 80s, but participation in the sport has since dropped dramatically. In contemporary culture there is a strong sense of nostalgia linked to drum majorettes; it is viewed as the pursuit of a bygone era. However, in many marginalised communities across the country, it is still taken seriously and is considered a highly competitive sport. For the girls and young women involved, being a drummie is a privilege and an achievement, indicative of success on and off the field. The notoriously demanding practice schedules are representative of the girls’ commitment, and their ability to work hard.

While there have been various debates around the archaic sense of discipline and idealised notions of femininity associated with the sport, being part of a team offers girls a sense of belonging and emboldens their self-worth. The significance of pride and confidence is stressed to the girls, which is vital in communities where opportunities for young women are often severely limited. Being ‘drummies’ allows these girls to excel, and their distinctive uniforms serve as a visual marker of success and emancipation from their surroundings.

‘This is part of my ongoing work exploring notions of femininity and empowerment in modern society. With my continued investigation into this subculture, I hope that these images can communicate the pride and confidence these girls have achieved through identifying as ‘drummies,’ in a context where they face many social challenges. I want these images to function as a testament to the commitment and determination of these young female athletes, in a world where so many sporting opportunities are still focused on men.’

Alice Mann (b.1991) is a South African photographic artist. Her work has been exhibited internationally at National Portrait Gallery, London; Red Hook Labs, New York City; Unseen Photo Fair, Amsterdam; Addis Foto Fest, Addis Ababa), International Center of Photography (ICP), New York and at 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, London. Mann’s personal and commissioned work has been published internationally including The Guardian, The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Artsy, British Vogue, The British Journal of Photography, and National Geographic. Her series ‘Drummies’ was selected as a winner of the Lensculture emerging photographer prize (2018); the PHMuseum Women’s ‘New Generation’ prize for an emerging photographer (2018); and first place in the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize (2018). Mann was also the recipient of the Grand Prix at the 34th edition of the Hyeres International Festival of Fashion and Photography (2019).

More about this special edition

Description