Nothing says “party” like covering yourself head to toe in white paint, sticking on some terrifying Freddie Krueger finger knives and a giant skull helmet and dancing about in a leaf-stuffed posing pouch. Does it? Well, one man’s mushroom-fuelled Hallowe’en antics are another’s sacred ritual, as we discover through the lens of Jeremy Hunter. The distinguished veteran has been there and got the t-shirt during 35 years of reportage from some of the world’s most remote regions, and he seems to have an uncanny knack of arriving just as the local celebrations are in full swing.
Let’s Celebrate 365 is a collection from Hunter’s travels and takes in rituals, ceremonies and general merry-making in regions including the Near East, Asia and Africa. Things go from the sublime to the ridiculous, but behind all the smiles lies a serious side to the exhibition; not only are some of the practices way too out there for comfort (young women being whipped in Ethiopia’s Ukuli Bula ceremony, for instance), but the series also documents traditions which are under threat from outside forces. Cock ‘n’ Bull Gallery, London, is the venue for Hunter’s celebration of celebrations, from 9 May to 12 May.
Last arrivals at Tongi, Bangladesh
Jeremy Hunter
Let’s Celebrate 365
Cock ‘n’ Bull Gallery
Aboakyer Deer Hunt, Ghana
Jeremy Hunter
Let’s Celebrate 365
Cock ‘n’ Bull Gallery
Theyyam
Jeremy Hunter
Let’s Celebrate 365
Cock ‘n’ Bull Gallery
Monks attend audience with Living Buddha
Jeremy Hunter
Let’s Celebrate 365
Cock ‘n’ Bull Gallery
Doux horsemen
Jeremy Hunter
Let’s Celebrate 365
Cock ‘n’ Bull Gallery
