Dirty Gals
Poppy Baines and Raegan Hodge
The exhibit contemplates femininity, female bodies and their interaction with the earth and dirt. Whether it be playing sport or walking in nature, Raegan and Poppy's work depicts their personal journeys confronting their place in the dirty physical world.
Scrum Series
Raegan Hodge
As I'm getting older and my body doesn't work like it used to, I reminisce often about my adolescence playing sports. Back then, I was a tough little tomboy with constantly skinned knees heading off to training. Despite all the drama or family stress of my teenage years, everything seemed to slip away when I was out on the baseball field. The smell of the grass and the excitement of competition still brings back feelings of freedom and optimism for me.
Now, living in Sussex, I am far away from the little league baseball pitches of my youth. But all is not lost: Enter the Black Widows women's rugby team in Burgess Hill, Sussex.
By photographing the team, I have gotten to revisit that nostalgia. Just like in my youth, all my work stress (or world stress) falls away for an hour or so when I'm with the team. I've learned a lot about rugby and gotten to know some of the ladies. They have shown me their toughness, camaraderie, confidence and heart- and, of course, their love of getting dirty.
In addition to the documentation of the team, I visually address issues of femininity, the male gaze, body image and stereotypes of athletes. I also wrestle with the age old artist's dilemma of how to depict motion or action.
Poppy Baines
As a walking artist, my work explores personal journey, introspection, and resilience. Walking is a profound form of artistic expression, connecting me with the natural world and my inner self. It empowers me to navigate physical and metaphorical landscapes, exploring intersections of identity, space, and time.
Being a female artist presents unique challenges and insights. Walking alone can be liberating yet fraught with societal implications, challenging traditional notions of female vulnerability and patriarchal boundaries. Through my solitary journeys, I reclaim spaces, asserting my presence and agency in environments often seen as restrictive or unsafe for women.
My practice aligns with the Situationist concept of the dérive or drift, where the journey itself becomes a form of resistance and discovery. By wandering without predetermined goals, I embrace spontaneity and unpredictability, allowing the landscape to shape my artistic process. This challenges the structured, goal-oriented approach often expected of women, highlighting the value of exploration and presence.
Recently, my work has delved into grief and loss, exploring the emotional landscapes accompanying these experiences. I examine the nuances of impending loss, the sorrow preceding it, and our mental and emotional preparations for transitions. This resonates with the universal human experience of facing inevitable changes and departures.
All my work reflects the ebbs and flows of my mental health, documenting my journeys and their emotional states. Through this raw depiction, I aim to foster deeper understanding and empathy. Ultimately, my work celebrates the solitary journey, inviting others to explore their paths of empowerment and self-discovery.
Little Western Street
Brighton
BN1 2PU
Map
4–13 October
Friday 12:00–22:00
Saturday 12:00–22:00
Sunday 12:00–20:00
