Toxteth Riots
Riots are often sparked off by some deep seated social injustice. The Toxteth riots of 1981 emerged during a recession with high unemployment and deep rooted tensions between the local population and the police. These photographs were all taken around the time of the riots.
Slum clearance. Toxteth, Liverpool 1981 (Bishopsgate Institute Collection)
Slum clearance. Toxteth, Liverpool 1981 (Bishopsgate Institute Collection)
The photograph below was taken on Lodge Lane which was on the fringe of the areas affected by the riots. Immediately after the riots there was ‘saturation policing’ and an uneasy truce between locals and the police. I think the youths demeanour, as he keeps his distance, says a lot about how he regarded the police.
Lodge Lane. Liverpool 1981 (Bishopsgate Institute Collection)
Three Women
Woman on Vallance Road. London 1985
Woman in Middlesex Street. London 1995
Woman on Whitechapel Road. London 1985
Contact Sheets (2)
My use of contact sheets was discussed in an earlier blog. The three selected images are all from the East End of London.
Contact sheet. Early 1980's
Lady passes shop window with oil heater. Brick Lane, London 1982
Man (Robbie) under a bridge. Fleet Street Hill, London 1982
Two figures outside the Bishopsgate Institute. London 1982
Evidently this photograph (above) was taken with the camera ‘upside down’.
The Making of Sandra (part 1)
As part of my continuing collaboration with artist Ben Slow I was able to photograph a new piece of work in the making: a painting of the legendary queen of Spitalfields Sandra Esqulant. Using a photograph I took on the 25th anniversary of Sandra’s pub Ben is creating an urban shrine to Sandra just off Brick Lane and down the Road from her pub in Hanbury Street. The new work is opposite another painting by Ben.
Sandra in Ben's back pocket. Hanbury Street, London 2012
Ben prepared the surface (below) for his painting meticulously. Until now I didn’t realise the amount of preparation that went into the making of street art.
Ben preparing the surface of the wall for Sandra's image. Hanbury Street, London 2012
Ben Painting Sandra. Hanbury Street, London 2012
Ben’s paintings seem to grow out of their walls and leap out at you as you pass buy. His careful application of inks and other materials causes drips which give his work an organic feel. People seem to find it difficult to just walk buy and are forced to stop by the voices in the painting.
A passer buy discusses work in progress with Ben. London 2012
Ben painting Sandra. London 2012
Ben painting Sandra. London 2012
Ben with Sandra. London 2012
Christchurch and Tower 42
Christchurch dominated the skyline looking East from Whitechapel before the City began to build upwards. The appearance of Tower 42 (below) signalled the upwards build of the City which dwarfed Spitalfields church.
Tower 42 from the City, 1985
Christchurch and Tower 42. London 1997
Christchurch spire from Commercial Street. London 1997
Christchurch spire from Brick Lane. London 1997
Christchurch Spitalfields. London 1985
Christchurch Spitalfields. London 1985
Christchurch Spitalfields. London 1985
Christchurch Spitalfields. London 1985
Christchurch Spitalfields. London 1985
