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Wilde Volk

Upcoming Exhibitions

In a Land Gallery, Hebden Bridge 8–30 August 2026

This exhibition brings together photography, sculpture, masks and sound inspired by European folk rituals, including Krampus, Perchten, Kukeri and Busójárás.

The exhibition also features Yorkshire’s Whitby Krampus Run, showcasing their Austrian-inspired masks alongside a live appearance during the exhibition period.

Workshops, talks and drawing sessions take place throughout.

In a Land, 2nd Floor, Linden Mill, Linden Road Hebden Bridge, HX7 7DL

Upcoming talk

Curious Histories 8 June — East Street Tap, Brighton
Tickets available through eventbrite

About

Enter a world of horned figures, winter rituals and living folklore.

Wilde Volk is an ongoing art and folklore project exploring masked, animalistic and horned festival traditions across Northern and Eastern Europe.

Founded by Sooxanne (Suzanne Rolfe), the project brings together photography, film, sculpture and sound to document and respond to living rituals such as Krampus, Perchten, Kukeri and the Hungarian Busójárás festival. Developed over a decade of travel, Wilde Volk captures winter processions, rural ceremonies and community celebrations across Germany, Austria, Bulgaria and beyond.

At its core, Wilde Volk explores the meeting point of folklore, mumming and transformation, presenting these traditions not as relics of the past, but as living, evolving expressions of identity and collective imagination.

Wilde Volk Zine

The Wilde Volk zine brings together short stories from Melita Dennet, Kerry Boettcher and Sooxanne, through photography, art and curses. Each issue documents journeys into winter rituals, featuring images, reflections and research gathered along the way.
£10 + £3 UK P&P

To order:
PayPal: paypal.me/wildevolk
Email: kerry.boettcher@hotmail.co.uk

Exhibitions & Collaborations

Wilde Volk takes many forms, including exhibitions, installations, talks and publications, created in collaboration with international artists, photographers and sound makers. Contributors include Ivo Danchev, Kerry Boettcher, Melita Dennett, and the Spirit of Gravity collective, whose sound works are developed from field recordings gathered during these journeys. Other collaborators include Jeff Kazimir and Penny Toomey, who create Krampus-inspired stained glass, alongside willow sculptor Woody Fox and mask maker Simon Chandler. Adding to the Wilde Volk world, felt artist Lou Hart presents evocative Romanian bear-inspired works, alongside unusual bear charms by Jo Goddard. Automaton creator Helen D’Arcy presents a striking Kukeri doll.

Rites and Reverberations

Wilde Volk: Rites and Reverberations is an immersive soundtrack created with the Spirit of Gravity collective. Using field recordings gathered during festival journeys, the sound work transforms raw audio into layered, atmospheric compositions, echoing the rhythms, textures and intensity of these rituals. Copies can be downloaded from Bandcamp.

Testimonials

‘Sooxanne’s talks on the Wilde Volk are always enlightening and entertaining and without fail go down brilliantly with the Speakeasy audience. We always enjoy taking a trip with Suzanne to the darker side of Europe’s traditions and look forward to the next instalment.’

Pete FiJ ( Speakeasy , Worthing )

Suzanne is enthusiastic, eloquent and knowledgeable about Europe’s dark and strange folk traditions. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending her as a guest speaker on this topic.

David Bramwell Catalyst club

Contact and Social

For further information, collaborations or press enquiries:

Suzanne Rolfe — sooxanne@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook: Wilde Volk / Instagram Substack: Suzanne Rolfe | Substack

Exhibition testimonials

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