Criticality

Week 10 & 11

Figure 1: Tom Hunter, Travellers, 1996-1998

When I first saw this photograph by Tom Hunter, I felt the context behind was of that of hardship and belonging. The distress on the windows, lack of space and the girl’s expression, looking down and away from the camera in almost a thoughtful pondering way.

Having looked into his Travellers series, I understand now that Hunter’s objective was to bring an alternative view on the lives of his friends who travel, away from the views the press disseminated that they were “…victims of society or criminals..” (Travellers, 1996-1998 | Tom Hunter, 2020). Hunter wanted to portray the dignity and humanity of his subjects instead, by using colour instead of black and white images in the press.

My tutor replied to my forum post on the above image, asking if I was aware of a short film by Dave Fawcett and Tom Hunter on the subject of travellers. I was not aware of this film and upon watching I felt myself drawn into the lifestyles of the travellers and held a better understanding of their situations and life.

The video can be found below:

Bibliography:

Hunter, T., 2020. Travellers, 1996-1998 | Tom Hunter. [online] Tomhunter.org. Available at: <http://www.tomhunter.org/travellers/> [Accessed 27 November 2020].

Tomhunter.org. 2014. ‘Dave Fawcett – Traveller Homes’ A Short Film | Tom Hunter. [online] Available at: <http://www.tomhunter.org/dave-fawcett-traveller-homes-a-short-film/> [Accessed 27 November 2020].

Video:

London College of Communication, 2020. Dave Fawcett - Traveller Homes. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S13bYihSRrU> [Accessed 27 November 2020].

Figures:

Figure 1: Tom Hunter, Travellers, 1996-1998