Christine Pearl
2014
Last Car Running
This series of photographs is about a group of people within a subculture who work with what they have as they embrace the charm of destruction. In the process of grinding steel, burning rubber and showering sparks they fulfill their American dream; a dream of creating the indestructible car that is the last car running.
My photography of rural demolition derby embodies the raucous spirit of what is proudly called “contemporary redneck culture.” I’m drawn to this community’s creative ingenuity, shown in the ways they give new life to an old, all but abandoned icon of the American dream, the automobile. I use photography as a means to reflect on the thrill of the journey and the symbol of individual freedom the automobile promises each of us.
The choice of subject for this body of work comes from an interest in American culture and a personal connection to this unique sport from my teenage years. I’m fascinated by how deeply rooted the automobile is in our memories and identity of being American. With roots in post-World War II when new cars were rolling off the assembly line, the demolition derby was born as a way to get rid of pre-war cars and provide entertainment in rural America. I’m attracted to the demolition derby by the competition, love of destruction and its reflection of our disposable society.
My first car after I graduated from high school was a ‘62 Ford Galaxy 500, which burned more oil than gasoline. When I could no longer keep the car legally on the road, I gave it to a friend’s older brother to run in the local demolition derby in Maine, where I grew up. He won the derby with that car and it was so exciting to see it go up in smoke and end its life in such a dramatic way. The memory of that car’s demise has always been a romantic one for me.
This ongoing project explores the overlooked recreation, entertainment and leisure activities of rural, working-class America, often referred to as “white trash” or “rednecks.” As the social gap grows in this country, little attention is given to the people who live in a paradox of racial privilege and class disadvantage. The objective of this project is to bring awareness of this subculture that is typically portrayed in a negative light and go beyond the otherness of blue-collar America.
The defining elements of the demolition derby also mirror the dwindling blue-collar class evolving into a culture of facing the need to make do. I turned to photography as a way to face a disability and limited mobility. As a disabled photographer I continue to learn how to work with what I have, like the crews at the demolition derby. I directly use my career background in design and construction to fuel my passion and inspiration for creating images through interacting with others. I’m attracted to people, which is a starting point for making photographs.
After 25 years as a project manager in the design and construction industry Christine picked up a camera in 2010 as a way to face the onset of her disability and accompanying limited mobility. She utilizes her experience working with the design process and interaction with people as a starting point to make photographic images. She is an emerging photographer who’s photo essay Last Car Running was featured in the April 2013 issue of Photo Technique Magazine’s UNDEREXPOSED, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale 2013 Projections Program and the September 2014 issue of Don’t Take Pictures. Recent awards include Juror’s Choice Award for the Contrast Exhibition at PH21 Gallery in Budapest, Hungary, 2nd Place in the New Creativity Exhibition at the New York Center for Photographic Arts and selection by the International Art & Artists for a solo exhibition at Hillyer Art Space in Washington, DC November 2014. Christine lives in Washington, DC.
