Photo Fringe 2024

Resurgence: Sustainable Farming Today creates a familiar space for those striving toward a more sustainable future. While sustainability often brings horticulture to mind as the primary path forward, this work challenges the belief that dairy farming and other forms of agriculture are damaging to our ecosystems. It highlights the strength and perseverance of the farmers using sustainable farming techniques and urges the sharing of knowledge and aspirations with others.

So began the search for the farmers taking responsibility for our land and sea. The cows back to their calves, the fishermen collecting prawns individually, and the kelp farmers giving back to our oceans. The beauty and creativity found in these corners of our small island are ones of hope that will lead the way to a better future for our ecosystems, us, and our planet. The image shown is of dairy farmer Oliver from How Now Dairy with his compost heap made from milk packaging. This is then used to fertilise the land resulting in a full circle process.

Bethany Hobbs is a photographer driven by the intimate stories that define us. Her practice focuses on the land, from being a stranger to becoming a part of the landscape. She has explored her family history to find the truth in their escape from Nazi Austria and which now has led her to explore the land which her family calls home. This is currently taking the form of exploring sustainable farmers leading the way in caring for our beautiful and precious island, from the land to the oceans, all that make up our home.

BA (Hons) Photography, University of Brighton (2017), Bergen Belson International Summer School (2016)

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Photo Fringe invited artists to propose a single image to engage audiences and help us imagine a greener, fairer world. Artists were asked to respond to the question “How can photography make a difference to the climate crisis?"

The resulting outdoor exhibition of selected images by nineteen artists can be found on Brighton seafront next to the Upside Down House until 17 November 2024.

See all of the images together here

Created with funding from Arts Council England National Lottery Project Fund and the UK government and Brighton & Hove City Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. With print sponsorship from SAS Graphics.

Thanks to our judges Siân Berry, MP and Laura Summerton, Photography Manager, WaterAid.