Patriots

“Wembley in the summer of 1996: Gareth Southgate is stepping up to take that penalty. The one that seemed to take an eternity to roll across the turf. In reality it’s a split second,during which Ravi Deepres reacts faster than the German goalkeeper. One eye takes in events on the pitch, while the other focuses on a section of the crowd. His camera catches them at the very moment where tension drains from their faces to be replaced by stunned disbelief.” – The Guardian

Patriots’ striking large-scale photographs and video images of football crowds ask questions about how individuals’ and society’s own identities are shared with notions of patriotism and nationality. Shot over a period of 7 years at European Championships and World Cups, including the 2002 tournament, the images document the remarkable iconography of football culture and study the dynamics of individual and group identities at work amongst supporters. Beyond reportage, the exhibition’s accessible imagery reveals a provocative sociological study of football culture.

Over recent years Ravi Deepres has established an international reputation for his work. His photography has been exhibited in group shows across the UK, while his video and photographic collaborations in contemporary dance with Saburo Teshigawara and others, and in music with :zoviet*france: and Sand, have reached audiences worldwide.