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Photographer showcases her work at French Celtic Festival2 August 2025ShareSaveMatthew BassettBBC NewsShareSaveJoann RandlesJoann uses photography to celebrate the Welsh culture and jogo free fire é perigosoheritageAn annual festival bringing the Celtic nations together on French shores for a week to celebrate traditional music, song and dance is under way. Brittany will host artists from Galicia to Scotland, as people gather for the world's largest Celtic gathering. Among the Welsh bands, artists and male voice choirs travelling over, there is a multi-award winning photographer, who showcases Welsh life, culture and landscapes in her pictures.Joann Randles, from Swansea, has a background in film and TV but when Covid hit she decided to transpose her skills to take more artistic photos. Four years on she is representing Wales at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany.The festival attracts over 950,000 people from all over the world each year and highlights the heritage, music, food and sport from the Celtic nations.Joann RandlesJoann's work has previously been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert museum in LondonJoann RandlesJoann's photos have very minimal post-production editing to maintain its authenticityJoann Randles The photos are often taken on location and in challenging conditions Joann will exhibit her work at the EuroCeltic Arts Exhibition and said she was "thrilled" when asked to attend. "I absolutely love getting Wales on the map and I'm on a mission to continually push that. I just think we've got such a vibrant nation and such a rich culture "It's not often you get asked to exhibit such a large collection of work to a large audience."The Swansea based photographer draws her inspiration from classical artists such as Rembrandt and Leonardo Da Vinci. Her photographs document Welsh folk dance, traditions and communities.Joann RandlesJoann uses natural and artificial light to make her photos look like a renaissance paintingJoann RandlesJoann takes her inspiration from classic fine artists such as Rembrandt and Leonardo Da VinciThe festival takes place from 1 to 10 August, with each nation having its own pavilion.As well as formal concerts, the festival will include busking, traditional music sessions, displays, crafts and workshops, and food and folk sessions themed to highlight the Celtic nations.WalesPhotographyWales culture
