Photomonth 2011
Following more hospital treatment I’ve made an unseemly rush into my photoblog in order to demonstrate that my brain is still functioning! Thanks again to my partner Hazuan Hashim for keeping everyone posted with his stylish and thoughtful curation from the archive. His curatorial style brought an entirely new take on my work. Thanks again Haz for keeping the shop open….
My 40 year retrospective has also been curated by Hazuan for the launch of Photomonth at the Bishopsgate Institute on September 29th. Rossana Leal and Andrew Grainger of Mercadito Productions have worked closely with Hazuan and archivist Stephan Dickers. Thank to all the ‘team’ for their hard work and advice.
’40 Years On’ will be part of a tremendous range of Photomonth Exhibitions facilitated by the indomitable Maggie Pinhorn of Alternative Arts.
Alternative arts produces and directs photomonth and presents a diverse programme of arts events throughout each year including jazz, dance, theatre, literature, photography, fashion, festivals and exhibitions.
www.alternativearts.co.uk
Graphic for exhibition using photograph taken in Greece.
From Victoriana to Hoxtonite Terminal
Wheeler Street was a forgotten side street for decades but remained a handy way for the residents of Wheeler House to get onto the end of Bethnal Green Rd.
GOING
Woman walking under the bridge in Wheeler Street. London 1987
On Sundays the spaces under the bridge (Now the exit and entrance for the new Shoreditch station) could open up for a variety of different market sales.
GOING
Demolition of Wheeler Street. London, 2002
Somehow Wheeler Street and the spaces under the bridge had a distinctly Victorian feel. The superb Victorian industrial architecture was erily enhanced by poor lighting and thousands of charcoal coloured bricks.
GONE!
Wheeeler Street following demolition works. London, 2002
Invasion of the Estate Snatchers
For most of my life I have lived in the Tower Block which you can see in the third photograph below. From the balcony of our flat you could get an immediate sense of belonging to the East End of London. Looking West 30 years ago (below) you could see only a small suggestion of the City. Looking East there was no Canary Wharf.
View of the City from the Chicksand Estate. Spitalfields, 1982
As time progressed the view to the West rapidly changed until the walls of my peace loving Tower Block felt they were about to be boarded by enemy siege towers carrying estate agents. In recent years a propaganda war has involved a number of tricks including at least one letter a week from an estate agent claiming they have bankers who want to live in our block. We’ve never wanted to surrender to these City marauders. Where would we go? Who wants to live next to a banker?
A siege tower under construction for the invasion of the Chicksand Estate, London 2002
The 1980’s was a relatively peaceful time. There was still a lot of open spaces. The photographs below were taken looking west from the waste land behind Whitechapel station reaching up to Vallance Rd.
Boys from the Chicksand Estate, 1980's
Boys from the Chicksand Estate, 1980's
The Rich Estate Snatchers have demolished much of the area surrounding my estate.
A view of the demolition that has occured to make way for Estate Snatchers. Bethnal Green London 2002.
Rossi’s Cafe – Gone But Not Forgotten
Until its closure earlier this year Saturday mornings was usually marked out for Hazuan and myself by a Rossi’s breakfast of bacon, fried egg, beans and toast. It was a bit of a ritual for us because it was usually a lot quieter on Saturdays so we could take up to two hours to eat, drink loads of tea and stare out of the window as the trendy world of the new Spitalfields passed us by. It was if we were in a time capsule that protected us from the change we could see through the window. Alas it is now the worlds most expensive fish & chip shop. As a boy a big treat would be for me to buy a bag of chips for 4d which would be wrapped in grease proof paper and old newspapers. I was stunned the other day to see the newspaper had made a return (previously banned for health and safety reasons): two trendy young things strolled out of the shop with their newsprint chips. Of course it wasn’t the real thing but an art directors timid imitation.
Anyway enough of my nostalgia rant. Below are some pics of Rossi’s taken on a Saturday morning a long time ago …..
One Customer at Rossi's. Hanbury Street, London 2009.
Tea, solar pulses, teaspoon and toast at Rossi's. Hanbury Street, London 2009.
Tea and thought for Hazuan at Rossi's. Hanbury Street, London 2009
Tea and more thought for Hazuan at Rossi's. Hanbury Street, London 2009
Food For Thought
Spitalfields market, Commercial Street, London 1983
Spitalfields market, Commercial Street, London 1983
