Social History / Martin Parr Foundation
Tessa Bunney’s new photography exhibition documents Somerset cider makers
Somerset has more working cider farms than any county in England. However, the industry is in decline; in fact, almost two thirds of English orchards have been lost since 1950.
A new photographic exhibition from Bristol-born rural life photographer Tessa Bunney, commissioned by Martin Parr Foundation is launching at their Paintworks gallery space for the summer.
Made out of Orchards has been in the making since 2019, when Bunney began to document all facets of the cider-making world in Somerset.
is needed now More than ever
Harvesting apples, Impens Farm, North Newton, 2020, from Made out of Orchards, Martin Parr Foundation – photo: Tessa Bunney
Wendy Watkins, Bere Cider Company, Bere, 2019, from Made out of Orchards, Martin Parr Foundation – photo: Tessa Bunney
Julian Temperley tasting cider brandy, Burrow Hill, 2020, from Made out of Orchards, Martin Parr Foundation – photo: Tessa Bunney
From artisan producers using only hand-picked apples from small orchards to those making cider on an industrial scale; all by way of cider house culture, washing, milling, fermentation, and even makers of cider from a ‘cheese’ of stacked pressed apple pulp cider brandy.
Alongside the production processes, the exhibition features Bunney’s images of the ceremonial culture surrounding cider, such as the traditional ancient custom of wassailing to promote a bumper apple crop.
Daniel building a ‘cheese’, Pennard Organic Wines and Ciders, East Pennard, 2019, from Made out of Orchards, Martin Parr Foundation – photo: Tessa Bunney
Liberty Orchard Wassail, Closworth, Dorset, 2020, from Made out of Orchards, Martin Parr Foundation – photo: Tessa Bunney
Burrow Hill Cider, Kingsbury Episcopi, 2020, from Made out of Orchards, Martin Parr Foundation – photo: Tessa Bunney
“The story took me to many places,” she reflects, “from an orchard to collect and record almost 400 apple varieties, to a surprise wassail via an invitation on Instagram, to photographing mountains of surplus cider apples piled high at an anaerobic digester due to the pandemic.”
Going to the Sand, Bunney’s work with the fishermen of Morecombe Bay, will be exhibited later in the year, and published by Another Place press.
Carl, Burrow Hill Cider, Kingsbury Episcopi, 2021, from Made out of Orchards, Martin Parr Foundation – photo: Tessa Bunney
Trevor Brown building a ‘cheese’, Bere Cider Company, Bere, 2021, from Made out of Orchards, Martin Parr Foundation – photo: Tessa Bunney
Burrow Hill Cider, Kingsbury Episcopi, 2021, from Made out of Orchards, Martin Parr Foundation – photo: Tessa Bunney
Tessa Bunney: Made out of Orchards is at Martin Parr Foundation from July 21-September 25 (gallery opening times are Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am-5.30pm; closed Monday to Wednesday). Entry to the exhibiton is free. For more information, visit www.martinparrfoundation.org.
All photos: Tessa Bunney
Read more: Tom Hunter’s exhibition of naked Glastonbury portraits to be shown at the Martin Parr Foundation
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