The Cracker

“Through a narrow alleyway you enter ‘The Cracker’, rolling grass lined with blackberries and stinging nettles. Motorbikes, peds and quads bark loudly at all times of the day. The boys race them until they burn out, perfecting the art of the wheelie. The girls nestle around small fires despite the baking summer sun. Here, everyone knows each other.”

The Cracker is a series of photographs depicting teenagers living in Tipton between 2018 and early 2019. A group of teenagers growing up in the same place, same moment in time but yet each have their own unique story and character. It is these nuances the photographer, Laura Pannack, so keenly details in her portraits.

After accepting Multisory’s commission to work with young people in Sandwell, Laura found herself drawn to an area of scrubland in Tipton. She was fascinated by how this unassuming space has taken on a greater meaning for the young people that live nearby. ‘The Cracker’, as it is referred to locally, is a youth club without walls and without rules.

Thanks to Conygre Arts Centre for their support on this project.

Read about the project in Laura’s words here.