ali richards - photographer

The ‘Playground’ series explores the pursuits of teenagers and their engagement with the environment; vehicles are stolen, displaced and disfigured by fire.

The youth of today increasingly engage in activities of theft, violence and destruction often fuelled by boredom and disenfranchisement. The social structure has somehow failed them and they seek satisfaction through things that challenge the system, cause damage and ultimately have some kind of effect.

The majority of the perpetrators are from poor areas, which lack facilities to entertain and stimulate young minds.The images aim to preserve these scenes as a legacy to misspent youth whilst simultaneously offering a sublime view of our distopian society.