Project - The show must go on

The Fairgrounds and Circus Archives

Collecting contemporary circus documentation for future generations

Storytelling

about this project

This is part of a project with the National Fairground and Circus Archive which will be added to the archive for the future. The selected images are currently exhibited at the University of Sheffield 2023.

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The show must go on project was made in line with the Ghosted Ground project created by Joanna Whittle, the following is extracted from Joanna's publications.

Ghosted Ground showcases the work of landscape artist Joanna Whittle together with documents from the National Fairground and Circus Archive. The exhibition is the result of a year-long research project funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, in which Joanna looked into the lives of Showmen and their movement through the landscape.

The GHOSTED GROUNDS talks were held on the 8th September and focused on the engagement and collaborations throughout the project, supported by a National Lottery Project Grant from Arts Council England. These aspects focused on activating archives through using archival material to inspire engagement and new archival and creative content.

Julie Pinington Wright took part in the panel discussion. She is an internationally published photographer, who uses her work to challenge established attitudes and perceptions. She is a member of the Royal Photographic Society, Women in Photography and Documentary and the Red Eye Photography Network. Her images reveal the socio-political aspects of the subject, uncovering the realities of lives lived in challenging circumstances and the fragile shelter within.

Julie first began taking photographs of circus performers and crew when she became involved with Big Kid circus who were stranded in Morecambe during lockdown. Whilst supporting them to access local support she photographed their lives and the challenges they were facing. These photographs formed part of a Lancaster Arts ’Breathing Space’ commission awarded to Julie during lockdown.

During this time Julie’s daughter Caitlin Wright trained to become a Ringmistress and went on to Gandeys circus where I met with them both to gain an insight into contemporary circus life. Julie’s photographs and the interviews I conducted at this time are included in the exhibition and will be added to the National Fairground & Circus Archive.

You can find out more about the Breathing Space Project and other projects here:

https://www.juliepiningtonwright.co.uk/project---the-big...