Alice Mann’s award-winning series showcases South African drum majorettes, or “drummies”
Wakiesha Titus and Riley Van Harte, Cape Town, South Africa, 2018. Photo: Alice Mann A self-described perfectionist, London-based film photographer Alice Mann spends years at a time creating colorful portraiture essays focused on identity, femininity, and community. “For me, the focus has always been on people. I’ve been completely amazed by [photos of] people. They’re always very magical.”
While Mann herself was not a drummie, she grew up in Cape Town and was familiar with the sport and understood its influence. Then, during a visit to her hometown in early 2017, she read a newspaper article detailing a noise complaint against drum majorettes at a nearby school. Though working on another project at the time, she was inspired by the story and decided to photograph the team. “I sort of just had this feeling,” Mann says.
“You could see that they were really proud, and they felt very cool in their uniforms. It was like this visible marker of belonging,” Mann explains. “The uniforms are big, beautiful, and very visually striking. How you look changes how you project yourself, and that was very clear. I have to continue exploring this amazing thought and the community around it.”
Owing to the competitive nature of the sport, drum majorettes are known for their work ethic and confidence — inspiring attributes for the girls who pursue it, and for Mann herself . “I don’t think I could ever say I am finished,” Mann says. At the moment, “Drummies” feels rounded out enough for her to show the world, but she hopes to pick the series back up later, when the pandemic is over.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Robyn Lynch Upcycles Columbia Pants and Parkas Into Ingenious New MenswearIrish designer Robyn Lynch upcycles pants and parkas from your favorite U.S. skiwear staple and turns them into ingenious menswear
Read more »
The Original World Wide Web Becomes an NFTOwn a piece of internet history... kind of.
Read more »
Harris Invites All 24 Female Senators To Dinner At Her HomeThe event was the first of its kind at the vice president's residence.
Read more »
Clockwork manicure robot is proof the future is hereThe Clockwork Minicure is the first-of-its-kind fully autonomous robot for manicures.
Read more »