PHIL MAXWELL

This image started it’s life as a photograph in my book ‘Brick Lane’. The man pulling his trolley bag was photographed around 1984. He’s most likely dead now but my brief encounter with him courtesy of my camera means I remember him in my mind very clearly. I often have a strange empathy with my street subjects. Although I’ve usually not spoken to any of them I often speculate about their lives and ask myself what are they doing now?

The image is actually derived from two photographs the second was taken at night of the river in Melaka, Malaysia. Colourful lights reflected in the water were regularly disrupted by passing boats creating a magnificent and serene dance of colours that probably mimicked the movement of the unseen fish beneath the water. So, my man with his walking stick is now walking on water.

Over forty years ago I had good mobility and could even run fast! I feel as if I’ve grown closer to the deceased subject as today I can certainly identify with the mobility problems he had! I’m pleased I’ve updated my memory of the ‘Man On Brick Lane’.