Wheels Within Wheels
Man moving tyre, Bacon Street 1984
When I saw this man emerge from the crowd in Bacon Street I wondered where he got the tyre from. Possibly it was from one of the small car repair workshops that operated just off Brick Lane at the time.
Youth with tyre, Whitechapel 1985
The tyre in this photograph has been coaxed successfully across Whitechapel Road by the youth wearing gloves. I suspect he has become skilled in car maintenance by using spare parts from a variety of sources.
Pushing a tyre in Whitechapel, c.1990
Human transportation of tyres. Dhaka 1995
The tyres being transported by human energy here are in better condition than the worn tyres on the cart transporting them.
Vintage wheels on Brick Lane, c. 2003
Skateboarding And Rickshaw Riding
Skateboard, Whitechapel Rd 1985
The unexpected appearance of the skateboarding boy makes this photograph. I later used this image for a large photomontage where the image was repeated many times.
Skateboarding in Barcelona, 2005
These Barcelona photographs were used in a short experimental film, Barcelona. It consisted entirely of stills threaded together to produce a moving image. Hazuan Hashim edited the piece with music by Lola Perrin.
Skateboarding, Barcelona 2005
The public space outside the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona provides an ideal space for skateboarding.
Skateboard in Budapest subway, 2003
Rickshaws in a flood, Dhaka Bangladesh c. 1992
Rickshaw in a flood, Dhaka Bangladesh c. 1992
Prams
Lady pushing a pram. Whitechapel, 1983
This lady is pushing a pram that was a classic design for many years. These prams were so well made that they often finished their life transporting a variety of goods.
Vallance Road, 1986
Man pushing a pram on Vallance Road, 1986
Man with a pram on Toynbee Street c. 1989
Man with a pram on Toynbee Street c. 1989
Woman with a push chair off Bethnal Green Road, c. 1984
Boy pushing a cardboard box on a pram chassis, c.1985
Taj Stores On Brick Lane
Taj store, Brick Lane 1983
The original Taj stores was a small shop situated between Truman’s brewery and the bridge on Brick Lane. This photograph shows a selection of imported vegetables and a neatly organised range of canned food.
Taj stores, Brick Lane early 1980's
This section of Brick Lane was demolished in the 1980’s. Taj stores were one of just a few enterprises that remained in business right up to the time of the demolition. Taj stores attracted customers from all sections of the community and established a reputation for the reliable provision of food stuffs popular with the Bangladeshi community.
Taj stores, Brick Lane early 1980's
When the bulldozers arrived Taj stores moved to the other side of the road to their present location in the middle of Brick Lane.
Taj stores, Brick Lane early 1980's
According to the Taj stores website they are one of the oldest international grocers in the UK. The neatly organised window display hints at things to come.
Taj stores, Brick Lane early 1980's.
Outside the Taj Store, Brick Lane c. 1987
Outside the Taj Store, Brick Lane 2012
Making a delivery to the Taj Stores, Brick Lane 2002
Moving chairs
Man with chair, Brick Lane 1986
During the 1980’s you could find a wide range of furniture for sale in and around Brick Lane. The Sunday market could easily supply a house with all of its furniture needs. As the market closed it was even possible to find abandoned items that could be carried home and used. Much of the furniture you could find then would now be on sale at inflated prices in ‘retro’ shops.
Man moving a chair, Barcelona 2005
Where I live there is an unofficial but highly effective furniture recycling scheme in operation. If I want to get rid of a piece of furniture then I will just leave it on the landing outside my flat. After a few days it will disappear into a neighbours flat. I noticed recently that a cupboard I abandoned 10 years ago reappeared for a few days on the landing outside our flat.
Office chair on a mans head, Brick Lane 2008
If you move into an empty flat the three essentials you need are a bed, chairs and a cooker. Years ago it was possible to get all of these for very little or no money at all from the Sunday market in Spitalfields.
Man sitting on abandoned chair, off Brick Lane 1984
This man has found a comfortable abandoned chair from which to view the proceedings of the Sunday market. He is joined by a little girl holding an apple who has fixed her gaze in the same direction of the man. I recall they were watching two men arguing. The argument facilitated this photograph.
Woman seated at her market stall, Whitechapel c. 1985
Man with suitcase rests on steps, Brick Lane c. 1983
Man seated on a box, Whitechapel c. 1984
