“Football certainly brings out the fanatic in the fan.”
Central Saint Martins Fine Art student Ruby Whittaker includes football supporters in second year project she will continue with a four month Berlin internship.
“The idea of personal identity is very comprehensive,” explained Whittaker, from Haslemere in Surrey, but now based in North London’s Finsbury Park, perfect for catching those Arsenal fans on match day.
“Personal identity embodies various aspects of one’s life and unique characteristics that “define you as a person”, distinguishing you from the others,” she said.
“Football affiliations can play a big role in somebody’s identity, family and community.”
She confesses to not being a big football fan, although has supported her home town Haslemere Town FC, as well as the Gunners, which she attributes to her uncle.
She played Sunday football herself, when not watching her brother play, but now equipped with her Nikon Fm2, along with some additional guidance from her professional photographer father, Ian Whittaker, she is now fully focused on seeking out material to supplement her “Who Are Ya” project.
The work of Martin Parr is also an inspiration, while Whittaker has her own personal guidelines.
“Just go for it, have confidence and a smile,” she says. “The worst that’s gonna happen to your wanting to take pictures of someone is them saying no!”
She admits to not being “a massive football fan”.
“I don’t think it is a part of my ‘current’ identity,” she said. “However, I think at one point in my life it was, as I played for my school and my local town. I think your identity can change and evolve over time as you find new interests and have different beliefs.
“At the beginning of the project, I really wanted to capture the ‘Lad’ / ‘Hooligan’ culture of football as I find it to be something very interesting. When I went to Arsenal, I didn’t meet these individuals who reflect this behaviour.
“Because I didn’t meet them doesn’t mean they (don’t) exist. There is defiantly a massive issue with Football Fans and sexism and racism.”
Her forthcoming internship in Berlin will present fresh opportunities, which she relishes.
“It would be interesting to see the difference in football cultures in different parts of the world,” she said. “I really would like to focus on different subcultures that are prevalent where I’m living. In Berlin, there is a massive rave scene so I think that could be interesting especially as I will be living a stone’s throw away from the infamous Berghain.”
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