SOCIALLY ENGAGED ART SALON (SEAS)

“Many communities in modern Britain feel that these landscapes hold no relevance for them. The countryside is seen by both black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and white people as very much a ‘white’ environment.If that is true today, then the divide will only widen as society changes. Our countryside will become irrelevant to the country that actually exists.” DEFRA’S Landscape Review 2019“

 

You do get people with old-fashioned values and set ideas about what a traditional walker is... But a lot of people are happy to see you in the countryside. They enjoy it, so why would they not want you to enjoy it?” Rhiane Fatinikun, Founder of Black Girls Hike, The Guardian 2022.

 

The relationship between the English countryside and Black and People of Colour (BPOC) communities is evolving, particularly through the lens of photography. Historically, the English countryside has often been depicted as an overwhelmingly white, rural, and exclusive space. For many BPOC communities, the countryside may still feel inaccessible due to historical and cultural exclusion but also to other socioeconomic factors, as depicted in various research. As such, they are deprived of the physical, mental andsocial benefits of walking, hiking and exploring the countryside.

 

Recognising our intersectionality (as all the current collective members are LGBTQIA+), the project also touches on the issue of this community and the countryside. According to national statistics, most LGBTQ+ people live in bigger cities or towns. Still, there has been a steady increase of queer people moving to rural areas - but not without the cost of social isolation, which leads to mental health issues. Unfortunately, there are no statistics on how many and how often LGBTQIA+ people visit the countryside for recreational purposes. Still, there are a few grassroots organisations, such as Queer Out Here and Outdoors Lads, which promote and organise such activities.

 

The word ‘outlook’ in the exhibition’s title refers to an opinion about something and a view. It is not just a view but a place from which a view is possible, a vantage point, or a place of privilege. The Countryside – or the ability to roam - is still such a place. 92% of England's land is private, and open-access land accounts for only 8%.In addition, the lack of free time, low income, difficulties in accessing these spaces via public transport, and,at times, cultural preferences still hinder BPOC communities from enjoying natural and rural areas. So are racist attitudes, feelings of being “out of place” that have been documented in recent surveys and the fear of xenophobic upheavals that are still spreading from time to time like wildfire. But racism is not restricted toracist thugs in small towns across the country, as mentioned by VV Brown in an opinion article in theGuardian: “It’s important to understand that ignorant, racist things can come out of the mouths of nice smileypeople in wellington boots.”

 

The project acknowledges these obstacles, some of which we have lived experiences of, as we acknowledge the privilege we had in participating in this project, which was inspired by groups such as Black Girls Hike and Flock Together. We also recognise that while we are all part of the BPOC community, our outlooks, as well as our photography practices and ideas, might differ due to unique lived experiences and perspectives. Subsequently, what unites us in this project that marks the foundation of our new photography collective -is not so much our identities [grouped under problematic terms such as BAME, BME, VME-visibly minority ethnic people, global majority, BPOC, et.c) but more our belief that photography is a powerful tool to challenge dominant narratives and attitudes. This project serves to counter the ideas of who belongs in the English countryside and even to question Englishness.

In this project, we are trying to reclaim and reimagine these spaces and expand our notions of belonging. We believe in the power of socially engaged photographic practices to create more inclusive and diverse spaces, especially in the countryside.