Inspired by the fleeting yet intense life of the mayfly, these portraits celebrate the individuality and collective energy of people at events like Burning Man, Día de los Muertos, and European carnivals - including a viking from Up Helly Aa.
Each photograph represents a fleeting moment, removed from the surrounding festivities, where each individual stands before the camera in a temporary studio setting. By isolating his subjects in this way, Smith draws attention to their bold authenticity, vulnerability, and the innate human desire to be seen, valued, and connected.
Mayflies complements Fireflies in the Lower Café, an exhibition featuring a selection of photographs taken across Shetland which shows the passion each local photographer holds for our Fire Festivals, marking seasonal change and remembering the Vikings that came before us. By juxtaposing the deeply rooted traditions of Up Helly Aa with the universal themes of Mayflies, both exhibitions reveal the shared human impulse to gather, transform, and celebrate. Both projects explore the interplay of costume, identity, and community—how individuals express themselves within the collective, and how rituals connect us across time and place.
Come along to Mareel's cafe and don't miss both these fantastic celebrations of festivals near and far.
