PHIL MAXWELL

World Markets

October 29, 2016

Kuala Lumpur 2005

Whitechapel Market c.1989

Kuala Lumpur 2005

Whitechapel Market 2014

Kuala Lumpur 2005

Bangladesh early 1990s

Kuala Lumpur 2005

Dhaka Bangladesh c.1992

Kuala Lumpur 2005

Dhaka, Bangladesh c.1992

Pedal Power

October 28, 2016

Boys on a bike in Old Town Marrakech, 2005

Bike on Brick Lane. London 1983

Man on a bike, Barcelona 2005

Slow bike race in Hanbury Street, 1984

Young woman on a bike, Brick Lane, 2009

Boy on a bike in Sclater Street, 2000

Woman with bike, Whitechapel London 2013

Children on a bike, Liverpool c.1979

Cyclist, Marrakech, Morocco 2005

Boy on Bicycle. Liverpool 1979

According to the Housing Charity Shelter 117 families in Britain become homeless every day. The housing crisis that now afflicts every part of the UK and ‘social housing’ hardly exists anymore. Inequality is increasing and the vast majority of young people have no chance of buying there own home. People are campaigning nationwide against this particular aspect of ‘austerity’. Here are some photographs taken in 2015 in East London of campaigners protesting for decent affordable social housing.

Max Levitas (now 101) campaigning in 2015

A campaigner with a clear message 2015

Defend Council Housing 2015

The People’s Assembly 2015

‘Affordable’ Housing 2015

Campaigners getting ready to march 2015

Housing campaigners on the march 2015

The march concluded at County Hall

Harvey Gould’s Soho

October 26, 2016

In 2014 I made a film with Hazuan Hashim of an extraordinary Londoner called Harvey Gould. Here are some stills I took during the production of the film. Harvey was a marvellous subject; wonderfully animated, he lit up the screen.

Harvey during his first interview for the film, 2014

Harvey being filmed by Hazuan Hashim at the entrance to a Soho newsagents.

Harvey in Soho

Harvey – in a cafe – on camera in Soho

Harvey – effusive – on camera in Soho

Harvey in Soho 2014

You can watch the film here:

Harvey’s Soho (24 minutes)

Market Forces

October 25, 2016

All markets depend on Labour. I’ve always been impressed and amazed at the daily cycle of labour required to operate a street market. Each day the shop has to be unloaded, moved to a stall, laid out and moved back to storage. This is one of favourite Blogs from 2011. I’m pleased to publish it again with some additional photographs.

Man moving a market stall, Whitechapel 2008

Before any stall can be arranged on Whitechapel market the stall itself has to be moved into place from its over night resting place in a side street off the main road.

Young man moving goods near Time Square, New York 2005

I have no idea what the young man (above) is pushing with his trolley or if the goods are destined for a street market. Nevertheless a good deal of skill and strength is needed to weave the goods between pedestrians. He achieves this unnoticed by everyone else. It is thanks to the daily efforts of people like himself that a city such as New York ticks on with an apparent effortless ease; the City depends on an army of poorly paid workers working long hours.

Man moving goods in Chittagong railway station, 2008

The assorted blankets and cloths have come from trains arriving at the Chittagong railway terminal in Bangladesh. Once cleaned they will probably be returned to new journeys around Bangladesh or into India. Without the strength of the barefooted man (above) for this short journey they would be going nowhere.

Market trader pushing goods to his stall, Whitechapel market 2007

Although the majority of stalls are set out early in the morning goods can be seen moving at any time in Whitechapel market. Traders will shout ahead to warn pedestrians of their approach. As I have been known to ‘day dream’ whilst walking through the market I’ve grown to appreciate the cry of ‘mind your backs’.

Woman pushing goods on Whitechapel market

Market trader pushing goods on Whitechapel market, 2007

This market trader (above) combines strength and balance to move her stock down Whitechapel Road. The bag around her waist is her bank, money float and office.

Rickshaw driver transporting a fence in Chittagong, 2008

Rickshaws are not just for the movement of passengers. They are also the carriers of a multitude of items which at first you might think were unlikely candidates for a rickshaw ride. The driver is looking through the fence resting on his head and the top of the rickshaw in order to navigate his journey. Rickshaw drivers exude inventiveness when it comes to moving almost anything on their machines.