Bikes On Brick Lane
Man with his bike, Grimsby street 1988
This is one of my favourite blogs from 2010. I am pleased to publish it again today with some additional photographs.
This gentleman (above) is about to enter Brick Lane from Grimsby Street. He has just bought some second hand clothes from one of the many make shift stalls which appeared on Sundays. The inner tube he is holding suggests a puncture which might account for his forlorn expression.
Young woman on a bike, Brick Lane 2009
This trendy cyclist is going the wrong way down Brick Lane.
Man passes locked bike on Brick Lane, 2006
Bicycles on Brick Lane, 1982
The police officer is hurrying up Brick Lane to join colleagues at the start of a demonstration organised to stop the deportation of Afia Begum to Bangladesh. After her husband was killed in a fire she was deported despite protests. The children on their bikes joined the back of the demonstration which eventually ended outside the small police station next to Heneage Street.
Bicycles and lights on Brick Lane 2002
Boy riding a bike on Brick Lane, 1983
Brick Lane 2009
Man and a bike. Brick Lane, London 2012
An accidental juxtaposition of coloured lights and bikes outside a shop in Brick Lane.
Tony Blair As Baby Jesus
Tony Blair as the baby Jesus, photomontage 2003
This is one of my favourite blogs from 2010. I am pleased to publish it again today (with a few additional photographs).
In 2003 I held an exhibition which launched Photomonth for that year called Comrades. Hosted at the Four Corners gallery it took a satirical look at the Labour government of the day. This photomontage uses a Hungarian painting of the Virgin and Child with Tony Blair’s head.
Arrest of Tony Blair. Photomontage 2003.
This photomontage imagines Tony Blair as a peace protester being arrested close to the Houses of Parliament. I photographed the Labour Party leadership extensively in the early 90’s for Labour Party news. The images I accrued through this work were the principle resource for the exhibition.
Tony Blair as Jesus. After Caravaggio 2003.
Here we have the simple substitution of a Tony Blair head in Caravaggio’s masterpiece depicting the supper at Emmaus.
Torn fly poster with Brown, Blair and Cook, 2003
Tony Blair as the President of the United States, 2003.
Gordon Brown and Tony Blair on Brighton Pier, 2003
Tony Blair and John Prescott at a Labour Party conference, early 1990’s
Blair & Iraq. Collage, London 2008
Photomontage with a message and Tony Blair. Demonstration against the war, London 2003
The exhibition also included straight photographs of Labour politicians which were accompanied with quotes from the subjects.
Rickshaws in Bangladesh
This is one of my favourite posts from 2010. I’ve added a few additional photographs. I’m pleased to post it again today.
Rickshaws are the most popular means of transportation in Bangladesh. In the capital Dhaka there are over 600,000 competing for passengers.
Rickshaw with passenger in Sylhet 1996
Rickshaws are covered with paintings of rural scenes, animals, film stars, the rich and the famous, great monuments and religious symbols. The dress of the passenger above compliments the art work on the rickshaw.
Celebrity rickshaw portraits, 2009
Rickshaws have become mobile works of art. Scores of people are employed to paint and decorate this popular form of human powered transport. In recent years computer generated images have joined hand painted patterns. The main aim of rickshaw art is to attract the attention of potential passengers.
River scene on a rickshaw, 2009
Rickshaw, Dhaka c. 1992
Rural scenes are a popular motif. The river scene above adorns the backboard of the rickshaw. Rickshaws are a cheap and popular mode of transport over short distances. Currently there is a battle between rickshaws and cars in Dhaka. Rickshaws are blamed for traffic congestion. However, rickshaws are safe, environmentally friendly and do not rely on fossil fuels. Many people rely on rickshaws. The industry employs people from 38 different professions.
Rickshaw art, Dhaka 2009
Dhaka cinema with rickshaws waiting outside, 1995
Rickshaw, Dhaka Bangladesh c. 1990
Rickshaw painting. Dhaka, Bangladesh 2009
Rickshaw and Canary Wharf, Photomontage 2010
Rickshaw driver waiting for a passenger. Dhaka, Bangladesh c.1991
Rickshaw ride. Bangladesh 2008
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral c. 1978
The Liverpool skyline is dominated by two cathedrals. The Anglican cathedral designed by Giles Gilbert Scott eclipses the modern design of the Catholic cathedral a short distance away. This may be partly due to its position on St James’ Mount which overlooks the city and the river Mersey. Perhaps also the Gothic revival style of the building plus the fact that it is the largest Cathedral in Britain assures its dominance of the skyline.
During the early 1970s and 1980s the cathedral was surrounded by urban dereliction.
Today the landscape around the cathedral has completely changed following various regeneration schemes.
For me the relationship of Scotts iconic design with the old Liverpool captured here had a special resonance which has now disappeared.
Liverpool Cathedral c.1987
Liverpool Cathedral c.1978
Liverpool Cathedral in the distance c. 1980
Liverpool Cathedral c.1979
Liverpool Cathedral c.1980
Liverpool Cathedral, c.1980
Liverpool Cathedral in the distance c. 1980
Liverpool Cathedral in the distance c.1981
Liverpool Cathedral 1978
The Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool c.1977
Liverpool Cathedral c.1987
St Bartholomew’s Hospital London
Around ten years ago I was the photographer in residence at the Barts and the London NHS Trust. I was commissioned to provide fresh photographs of London for St Bartholomew’s and record the buildings which were to be pulled down as part of the building programme. I never expected I would return as a patient years later. These images reflect a month long stay as a patient. For three of the weeks I was flat on my back and unable to move out of my bed. This imprisonment was made bearable by the wonderful staff who cared for me and the world I was able to photograph from my bed.
Possibly I take better photographs under the influence of drugs.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
These telephone masts viewed through the window next to my bed became good friends after a few weeks.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
Visitors 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
St Bartholomew’s Hospital 2010
Royal Liverpool Hospital 2016
Royal Liverpool Hospital 2016
