Eshmeal Ahrens, Lauren Lee Hendriks, Anushka Keteldas and Bussisiwe Mnqumevu, Elgin Saints Majorettes, Grabouw, Theewaterskloof, 2018
Keashar Malgas, Dr. Van Der Ross Primary School Majorettes, Belhar, Cape Town, 2017
Tamzleigh De Kock, Wakiesha Titus, Riley Van Harte, Claresha Nano, Crishey Sassman, Charity Adams, Kesia Plaatjies, Erin Carolus, Aneeqah Meyer and Linomtha Makeleni, Avondale Primary School Majorettes, Atlantis, Cape Town, 2018
Helderkruin Primary School Majorettes, Florida Park, Johannesburg, 2018
Kimlynne Joachams, Elgin Saints Majorettes, Grabouw, Theewaterskloof, 2018
Fairmont High School Majorettes, Durbanville, Cape Town, 2018
Caitlin Engelbrecht, Cheri-Leigh Burger, Jordyn Smit and Britnay Engelbrecht, Helderkruin Primary School Majorettes, Roodepoort, Johannesburg, 2019
Owethu Sihlahla, Sinethemba Zwane and Wame Monare, Curro Thatchfield Primary School Majorettes, Centurion, Tshwane, 2018
Sinalo Mshunqane, Karabo Mahanyele, Mbali Sibanyoni, Olebogeng Malema, Sinethemba Zwane, Rendani Raliphada, Sinothando Mdanda, Tshegofatso Sebogodi and Relebogile Mashapa, Curro Thatchfield Primary School Majorettes, Centurion, Tshwane 2018
The Helderkruin Primary School Majorettes, Blue Downs, Cape Town, 2018
Curro Thatchfield Primary School Majorettes, Centurion, Tshwane, 2018
Tanique Williams, Hottentots-Holland High School Majorettes, Goodwood, Cape Town, 2018
Chloe Heydenrych, Paige Titus, Ashnique Paulse, Elizabeth Jordan, Tammy Baantjies and Chleo de Kock, Fairmont High School Majorettes, Durbanville, Cape Town, 2018
Siphithemba Mshengu, Curro Thatchfield Primary School Majorettes, Centurion, Tshwane, 2018
Mpho Mothabi and Mia Kuun, Helderkruin Primary School Majorettes, Roodepoort, Johannesburg, 2019
Sinalo Mshunqane and Karabo Mahanyele, Curro Thatchfield Primary School Majorettes, Centurian, Tshwane, 2018
Zoey Harris, Sophiatown Majorettes Club, Sophiatown, Johannesburg, 2018
Eden Adolph and Thoene Petinger, The Helderkruin Primary School Majorettes, Blue Downs, Cape Town, 2018
Dr. Van Der Ross Primary School Majorettes, Belhar, Cape Town, 2017
In 2018, when Alice Mann was just 27, she became the first person to win the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize with a series of photographs. Having submitted four individual portraits of drum majorettes, the judges decided – in an unprecedented move – to jointly award all first prize. As a result, they were shown at the National Portrait Gallery, in 2019 won the Grand Prix at the 34th Hyères festival, and were shortlisted for the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards. British publisher GOST Books published the Drummies monograph in 2021. Alice’s prints are now held by the JP Morgan Chase Art Collection, Floriane de Saint Pierre, Agnès b, and the Getty Museum.
The series has been exhibited in New York, Paris, Johannesburg, and at international art fairs, but there has not been a UK gallery exhibition – until now. Drummies at David Hill Gallery features 19 images, many of which are previously unprinted, with some entirely unseen.
Alice spent four years photographing drum majorettes in Western Cape and Gauteng schools, her images capture the strength, confidence, and pride of the girls, all crucial character components in communities where opportunities for young women are far too slim. Alice explains, ‘Drummies is part of my ongoing work exploring notions of femininity and empowerment in modern society.’
'Drummies retrofits the male-dominated genre of flashy sports photography to capture girls who are mostly from low-income families in the townships.’ *The New Yorker*
'There are so many images coming from a particular viewpoint, which is often a male, Eurocentric, westernised viewpoint – it’s important that we make this broader and more inclusive.' *Alice Mann*
