Crown Project

Hair is one of our most powerful symbols of individuality. It is intrinsically linked to identity, ethnicity, culture and gender. 

Crown - Hair & Identity in Traveller Culture explores the subject of Hair with Traveller women in County Mayo – the customs, rituals and the aesthetic of hair in their culture. Stories are gathered from the young women, their mothers, grandmothers and extended family.

Artist Breda Mayock hosted a series of workshops with groups throughout the county which resulted in conversations about hair, the history of women's hair, in the travelling culture and the more contemporary treatment of hair by younger women in this community. A series of photographs were taken by photographer Orla Sloyan depicting various expressions and styles. The project is now online: www.crowncloseup.ie

This initiative is strategically funded by Mayo County Council in partnership with the Arts Council and Creative Ireland.