"What Takes Hold" (2015)


What Takes Hold explores what lies beneath the surface and just around the corner in places and communities that are often considered to be "outside the center"—geographically, socially, or economically.

This series subtly hints at and invites the viewer to uncover the patterns of exchange, micro-hubs of activity, moments of anticipation, and purposeful movement within both urban and almost-rural landscapes. From the matriarchal organizing power of the bingo hall to the community spirit embodied in collective efforts at the local Slimming World, the images reveal a community that is constantly moving, living, and negotiating its own terms of engagement.

The photographs were taken in Knowle West, a neighborhood of around 12,000 residents on the southern edge of Bristol. Knowle West was established in the 1930s as part of a slum clearance initiative in the city center. The workers who built this pioneering new community gave the estate the nickname "5000 Island Forest," referring to the 5000 homes they were constructing, surrounded by forest. Sitting atop a hill, Knowle West still retains a sense of separation from the city. However, that pioneering spirit endures through the strong familial and social networks that have developed over the years, offering the community a solid sense of identity and often providing practical solutions and everyday support.

Some of these photographs may suggest absence, but perhaps an alternative interpretation is that they capture moments just after a period of intense social activity or conversation.




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