Deal’s Liz Mott on Photographing a Community

Photographer Liz Mott has found a unique way to capture the spirit of her local community in Deal, Kent. Her on-going project entitled “Real Deal” saw her take photos of interesting characters around the town, providing a glimpse into what makes Deal such a special place to live. CommunityAd had the pleasure of speaking with Liz about her inspirational work and most recent exhibition.

What was the original purpose behind the project?

The original Real Deal project was thought up by a group of new friends soon after I had moved to Deal in 2007. One of these friends was the photographer, Harold Chapman. I was completely smitten by the community here, so we decided it needed celebrating. I didn’t think of the project continuing, but I realised it would have to be revisited at some future date. I began again in early 2017. When I have recovered both mentally and financially, I am sure I will do a third set of images.

Linda Warren

How did you choose which people in the Deal community to photograph?

To begin with I was given contact details of people by my new friends and then the list grew as each person suggested yet more possible sitters.  As you might imagine, there were more on the list than I could photograph and it is naturally limited by the quantity that can be exhibited. There were 77 sepia portraits in the 2010 exhibition at the newly refurbished Astor Community Theatre. The second project, Another Real Deal, had its inaugural exhibition at the Linden Hall Studio in St George’s Road and ran from Saturday 2nd to Saturday 23rd February.  There were 84 black and white portraits for this.

What has your project revealed to you about Deal and its residents?

I feel that it has demonstrated to me the vast cross-section of wonderful, creative and caring people that live in and around the town. It is designed to be an inclusive project depicting old and young, people born and bred here and people who have chosen to make this place their home as well as those who have chosen to spend their weekends here.  They all go to make up a town and its community.

Liz with Stephen Hewson at Linden Hall Studio

Which portraits stood out to you, or that you particularly remember taking?

I enjoyed meeting every one of the sitters and finding out more about them.  It was great fun spending time on the pier photographing the fishermen/woman who were taking part in the angling competition to commemorate the opening of the new pier in 1957.  The majority of the portraits were taken in a location that relates to the sitter’s life which provides a fascinating insight. The studio portraits I find really interesting too as you have just the person in front of you which produces a totally different effect.

What do you think makes Deal such a wonderful community?

I have lived all over the world having been born in West Africa and so I am used to making my home wherever I land, but since coming to Deal I can honestly say that I have never felt so at home and so included as part of a community.  People generally are friendly and interested in others and their welfare which is a wonderful thing. For me, it is a very special and welcoming place.

Can you tell us more about the Another Real Deal book?

Arthur Neal

I have produced a large coffee table book which contains all the portraits from both parts of the project. The idea is to record the town like a series of snapshots and to keep it as an archive of how I personally see the place I now call home.  The book from 2010 is kept at the Deal Maritime and Local History Museum, along with a record and a few of the framed portraits.  This new 2019 book covers not just those new 84 portraits but several pages, like an enlarged contact sheet, of the 2010 images. It costs £25 and can be purchased from Roper’s, the Linden Hall Studio, the Astor Community Theatre, Will & Yates or by contacting me directly.

And finally, anything else you would like to share?

The framed portraits are currently distributed at venues across the town.  About 60% are on the walls of the Cafe Bar in the Astor until the end of April, 10 are at Le Pinardier, 6 are at Dunkerleys and 6 at Cin Cin Bar.  In April, a selection will go up at Bloody Mary’s and in due course some will be on the wall at The Taphouse Beer Cafe.  I need to emphasise that this continuing project is not about me, but about an evolving town and its people. I want to thank all those lovely people who agreed to take part and those supportive friends who have helped me both physically and financially to put both parts of the project together. 

You can find out more about Liz and her fascinating work at her website: www.lizmottphotography.co.uk

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