Stars, Sylhet and Centre Point
I photographed this man (below) staring upwards, from a Rickshaw in Sylhet. I have no idea what he was looking at but I do know he can see the Milky Way at night time which is an altogether more inspiring sight than anything I could look up at in London.
Man in Sylhet Town, Bangladesh 1991
Somehow the gaze of this man reminded me of a time I emerged from the underground at Tottenham Court Road when I was struck by the building Centre Point. A poor substitute to seeing a canopy of stars I still remember light vibrating from the building as I emerged from the artificial light of the underground. In an instant I knew I had to photograph the building just as I knew I had to photograph the man staring upwards in Sylhet Town.
Centre Point, Oxford Street London 1986
Crowds
Crowd at bus stop in Dhaka, 1991
Crowd in Brick Lane, 1999
Dhaka Noise
I recall taking the photograph below near a bus stop and remember the noise of the traffic on the road.
A passenger leans out of the window of a bus before it stops at a bus stop. Dhaka Bangladesh 1991
Drivers in Dhaka are fond of using vehicle horns to signal their presence on the road. This results in a chorus of noise which is joined by the gentler call of the bells of rickshaw drivers. This ensemble of traffic instruments has a stange predictability to it but the only thing that is absolutely certain is that it will sing without a break until late evening.
Rickshaw driver with passenger using a mobile phone, Dhaka Bangladesh 2008
Brick Lane Doorways
Before Brick Lane was colonised by a tidal wave of trendiness from planet Shoreditch there were numerous doorways leading to places that have now disappeared. Small independent businesses found it difficult to survive because of rising rents and regeneration plans. I was an admirer of ‘United Autos’ who operated from under the bridge on Brick Lane. This car repair workshop (below) prospered for many years but eventually closed following the Crossrail development.
The entrance to 'United Autos', Brick Lane 2003
Entrance to flat on Brick Lane, 1984
The flat above has since been improved as part of a social housing scheme.
Doorway to 'Harry's' newsagents, Brick Lane 1984
All of these buildings (above) have been demolished and replaced by shops and flats.
Market Matriarch
This Lady used to trade in Sclater Street with the gentleman to her right (below). I have no idea what the actual relationship was between the two but I observed her giving instructions to him on a number of occasions; I felt strongly that if I was in his position then I would not challenge her instructions. She was the boss.
Market traders at the Brick Lane Market, Sclater Street 1987
Every Sunday it was characters like these two who would breath life into the derelict arteries precariously connected to the top half of Brick Lane. The abandoned and derelict houses and warehouses acted like a film set for a quirky and impressive range of characters. At the time I just knew I had to capture this evaporating imagery which descended on the Brick Lane Sunday market.
Market trader at the Brick Lane Market, Sclater Street 1987
