Ghost Notes

Ghost Notes examines how punk culture endures in Derby as both historical movement and living force. Commissioned by FORMAT Festival, Deda and Derby QUAD for the "Dancing Through Time" initiative, this work combines stills and audio art to explore how subcultures shape local identities, challenge societal norms, and champion accessibility and innovation in the arts. It documents how punk's DIY ethos has evolved across generations while maintaining its core values. Photographing participants in significant spaces—from historic venues to community print workshops—creates more than documentation; these are extended conversations allowing stories to unfold naturally.

The project reveals punk as more than music or aesthetics—it's a complex social ecosystem where people create meaning through shared practices. By focusing on figures like Maggie, a background figure who fostered creativity and radical spirit, and Joey, who welcomes the challenge of carrying the torch forward, Ghost Notes reveals Derby's enduring punk identity. Through the interplay of carefully composed portraits and candid oral histories, the work captures both the visible markers of punk culture and the invisible bonds that have allowed it to thrive in Derby for nearly half a century.

Listen to the sound piece.