Twins in a spin at the great British seaside: Sophie Green’s best photograph | Art and design

Twins in a spin at the great British seaside: Sophie Green’s best photograph | Art and design

June 3, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Entertainment

For documentary photographer Sophie Green, the British seaside is more than just a destination; This proves a vibrant, visually super-charged landscape of primary colours and shared human experience. Her latest exhibition, Tangerine Dreams: Rituals of Belonging in Contemporary British Life, captures the essence of these coastal spaces, showcasing the bingo halls, funfairs, and arcades that serve as rare outlets for play in an increasingly individualistic society.

The project, which marks Green’s sixth year of documenting the coastline, began during the Covid lockdown. As beaches became essential spaces for people to congregate, Green found herself drawn to the unique sense of belonging found where people from all walks of life sit side by side. One notable 2021 image, taken at a funfair in Weston-super-Mare, perfectly encapsulates this joy, featuring the intense reds, blues, and yellows of a moving ride contrasted against the white T-shirts of twins in the foreground.

Did You Know? Sophie Green’s interest in documenting subcultures often begins with serendipity; she started her decade-long project on banger racing after hearing the roar of engines at the historic Wimbledon Stadium in 2014.

Exploring the Layers of British Identity

Green’s work often seeks to uncover stories that exist outside the mainstream social narrative. From the white uniforms of churchgoers in Southwark’s Black-majority churches to the horse fairs of the Traveller community, her photography explores how different groups forge meaning and connection. By looking beneath the surface of sensationalized portrayals, she aims to document aspects of life that are rarely understood by outsiders.

Exploring the Layers of British Identity
Sophie Green Tangerine Dreams
Expert Insight: Green’s commitment to “long-form” documentary work suggests that audiences may see her continue to expand these projects over the coming decade. As she maintains her focus on the multifaceted nature of British society, it is likely that her future exhibitions will continue to challenge common perceptions of subcultures by emphasizing the shared human rituals that create a sense of belonging.

The exhibition Tangerine Dreams is currently on display at the Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol and will run until 6 September. Looking ahead, Green’s dedication to her craft—rooted in her advice to “stay curious” and “trust your instincts”—suggests that she will likely continue to explore the layered social fabric of Britain, potentially uncovering new, overlooked communities in the years to follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I see Sophie Green’s work?
Her exhibition, Tangerine Dreams: Rituals of Belonging in Contemporary British Life, is at the Martin Parr Foundation in Bristol from 4 June to 6 September.

BBC Interview with artist Sophie Green

What inspired Green to start photographing the seaside?
She began the project during the Covid lockdown after observing on the news that beaches had become primary spaces for people to gather and congregate.

How does Green find the subjects for her photography projects?
Her projects often begin through everyday observation or serendipitous encounters, such as hearing banger car engines at Wimbledon Stadium or noticing the white uniforms of churchgoers in Southwark.

What aspects of your own community or local subcultures do you feel are most often overlooked by the mainstream?