About The Book
The photographs in Gli Isolani (The Islanders) by Alys Tomlinson, inhabit a hinterland between fiction and reality. Over a period of two years, Tomlinson documented the traditional costumes and masks worn during festivals and celebrations on the islands of the Venetian lagoon, Sicily and Sardinia.
Working with a large format 5×4 camera, Gli Isolani draws upon the visual language of Tomlinson’s previous projects, lending the black and white photographs a veil of timelessness. At the project’s genesis, Alys researched the literature and poetry connected to the history and culture of the islands of Italy, exploring tradition and identity, ancient myths, folklore and fairy tales. Set against crumbling stone and rural fields, the images depict the elaborate and uncanny costumes and masks worn for Holy Week, and other events and festivals, often inspired by pagan ritual and beliefs. Publisher’s Info
Header Photo: I Giudei, San Fratello, Sicily © Alys Tomlinson by courtesy of Gost Books
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About The Artist
Alys Tomlinson was born in 1975 and grew up in Brighton, UK. After a degree in English Literature, she went on to study photography at Central Saint Martins followed by an MA (Distinction) in Anthropology at SOAS, University of London. Her major body of work Ex-Voto (2016-2018) explored Christian pilgrimage sites in Lourdes (France), Ballyvourney (Ireland) and Grabarka (Poland). Her series Lost Summer (2020) documented teenagers in north London who had their proms cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Alys lives and works in London.
Video: In Conversation | with Alys Tomlinson by Wex Photo Video (Youtube) | Join documentary photographer Alys Tomlinson for this free online talk, discussing her documentary projects focused on the theme of identity and belonging. In particular, she will discuss her photo series, Ex-Voto which saw her claim first prize in the Sony World Photography Awards.
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Specifics
Gli Isolani (The Islanders) by Alys Tomlinson published by Gost Books 2022 // Essay by Sabrina Mandanici // 240 x 300 mm portrait format // 118 pages + a foldout, 51 images // Hardback clothbound. Link.
