Dented Pride //
Dented Pride is a series of abstract studies of Banger Car racing surfaces, created alongside my photographic series Bangers & Smash, which explores the subculture surrounding this uniquely British motorsport.
Within this racing community, discarded and salvaged car parts are repurposed to reconstruct vehicles stripped of glass, airbags and interior comforts, leaving only the bare essentials for speed and survival on the track. Once a banger has been wrecked, salvageable parts are recovered, while the remainder is sent to scrap. The most notorious and eagerly anticipated event is the Destruction Derby, where drivers deliberately collide in a battle of endurance, with victory going to the last car still in motion.
Where others might see only damage and destruction, I found beauty in the dented, scratched and textured surfaces of the cars. Adorned with humorous and endearing slogans, from personal nicknames to messages for girlfriends, each vehicle becomes a distinctive, unintentional work of art. With every collision, layers of wear and tear accumulate, transforming the bodywork into ever-changing compositions shaped entirely by chance.
Published by Ditto in collaboration with LAW Magazine and supported by Carhartt, Dented Pride takes the form of a limited-edition publication featuring ten A2 high-gloss prints, housed in a screen-printed metallic cover and vacuum-sealed. Edition of 300, November 2016.