Not My First Rodeo

Several years ago, I lived in Houston, Texas, a multicultural city of over six million people. The city has grown rapidly over the past twenty years as a result of economic growth and international migration, and is considered to be one of the most culturally diverse cities in the US.

Despite the significant influx of immigrants from other countries traditional Texas culture is still alive and well in the city. Every year for three weeks in March this international oil and medical metropolis becomes energised and transforms seamlessly into a hub of cattle and cowboys for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the largest annual livestock show and rodeo in the world. On a Friday afternoon trailriders and horse drawn carriages slowly make their way along the freeways from across the State while young and old from the city, the country and all over the world meet up to celebrate and enjoy Texas history and culture.

‘Not My First Rodeo’ showcases the sights of the Rodeo as well as local traditions in the city. With our increasingly globalised and interconnected world the culture of towns, cities and communities is changing more rapidly than ever before. While these changes can go unnoticed, my images of a multicultural community melded with Texas traditions show that different cultures can coexist and embrace each other's heritage.