Traditional Costumes and Rituals on Italian Islands Captured in Photography

Wed, 06 May 2026 23:31:00 +0200

British photographer Alice Tomlinson spent two years documenting the traditional costumes worn by residents of the Venetian Lagoon, Sicily, and Sardinia during local celebrations. Her project, titled 'Gli Isolani' ('The Islanders'), explores the mysterious and largely unexplored culture of these islands through black-and-white analog photography. Unlike the refined masks of the Venice Carnival, some Sicilian and Sardinian costumes retain pagan and folk elements, handcrafted by local artisans and passed down through generations. Tomlinson emphasizes that each costume carries a performative aspect: islanders know precisely how to move and embody the characters, transforming into otherworldly beings during festivities. Some of these costumes have been preserved in museums, like the Museo delle Maschere in Mamoiada, while others remain rarely photographed, such as the black-clad women of La Maddalena who symbolize penance during Holy Week. The photographer relied on local guidance and prel