The struggle to save Twyford Down in Hampshire, England, marked a pivotal moment in Britain's environmental direct action movement. In the summer of 1992, a small group camped on the threatened hillside, known as The Dongas, forming a temporary commune that obstructed road builders for months until their violent eviction. Their land occupation tactics had a significant political impact, influencing eco-activists globally. The protests occurred just before the rise of digital and social media, resulting in limited documentation of the camp's folk art and creative endeavors. Artist-activist Jai Redman, then an art student, was part of the Dongas Tribe, focusing on fortifications, resistance tactics, and propaganda for the anti-road movement. His personal reflections took the form of collages in handmade sketchbooks, drawing from influences like Neolithic stone circles, Pagan imagery, and the graphic design of David Carson, alongside the works of Anselm Kiefer, Antoni Tàpies, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Leonardo da Vinci. The 'Dongas Sketchbook' is a limited edition facsimile artist's book featuring a new essay by Redman and archival photos of a rare collection of ephemera from that time, including press cuttings, posters, zines, and flyers.
Jai Redman Libros
