In this episode, Leah talks about her background in photography, her interest in the interconnectivity of folk traditions, the Enclosure Acts, the Industrial Revolution and the transatlantic slave trade. She recalls her time in a folk punk band, and discusses her passion for Haiti, a country she says has been unfairly demonised. In particular, she talks about decades photographing in the country and how and why she came to make her award-nominated documentary Kanaval: A People’s History of Haiti in Six Chapters, in which the performers tell their version of their history and the difficulties and responsibilities this entailed for her.

Leah Gordon talking with Bob Chaundy

Accompanying images on consideringart.com

Leah in her band, The Doonicans

The Burryman Festival, South Queensferry, Scotland, 2010

Roy, Stapeley Common, who has rights for grazing cattle, sheep, horses, pigs. Estovers (bracken). (2020)

Chaloska (Charles Oscar) from the documentary Kanaval: A People’s History of Haiti in Six Chapters. Charles Oscar Etienne was a Haitian military chief who massacred 167 political prisoners in the capital, Port au Prince in 1915, thus becoming a bogeyman at the carnival.

All images are ©Leah Gordon.

You can watch Kanaval: A People’s History of Haiti in Six Chapters here

Kanaval is showing at Ed Cross Fine Art until 18 February 2023

Opening and closing music: Ibiza by MBB | https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial