The Art of Placing a Bet
Decision.
Man in betting shop, Brick Lane 1983
Scrutiny.
Man in betting shop, Brick Lane 1984
Contemplation.
Woman in betting shop, Brick Lane 1987
Decision.
Man in betting shop, Brick Lane 1984
iPad for a Kidney
All over the world advertisers seek out the spaces we walk past to plaster advertisements emploring us to buy junk food and stuff we don’t need. This is a multi billion pound global industry which ensures it is impossible to travel along a major route in our cities without being reminded of what the ad men think we need so they and their clients can make more money.
Posters advertising gambling, Bethnal Green Road 2010
I was astonished to learn about the young man Xiao Zheng, from China who sold his kidney so he could buy an iPad and an apple phone. The advertising campaign around these products saturated TV, the internet as well as the street.
Woman with mobile phone, Brick Lane 2010
Advertising in New York, 2005
Are we reaching a time when we define ourselves by what we own? In contrast to the corporate advertising we see everywhere the collage of cinema posters below is a breath of fresh air.
Man on bike. Chennai, India 1991
Shopping on Wheels
Lady with shopping trolley. Vallance Rd & Whitechapel Rd junction,1994
Lady with shopping trolley, Bethnal Green Road 2010
Man with shopping trolley, Sclater Street, 1986
Woman with shopping trolley. Watney market charity shop, 2010
Trafalgar Square & Whitechapel
The photograph below has never been seen before yet it might seem familiar since it is one of two frames I used to capture this skateborder on Whitechapel Rd. The other photograph has been in a number of exhibitions and published a few times; I also constructed an elaborate collage from it which was shown in the exhibition Brick Lane.
Skateboarder on Whitechapel Road, 1984
Skater in Trafalgar Square, 1985
This skater suddenly appeared with about four others all dressed in similar attire. In 1985 there were less people around Trafalgar square so the skaters travelled speedily without hitting anyone. Within minutes of their appearance from nowhere they amazed their audience with dance, speed and athleticism.
It was a wonderful free and spontaneous show. Thankfully I had a full roll of film in my camera as well as more in my pocket. No doubt I will return to this moment in time in the future with more photographs.
Skater in Trafalgar Square, 1985
Whitechapel Man
This gentlemen was a feature around Whitechapel in the 1980’s. I think he might have been a resident at Tower House in Fieldgate Street or Booth House on Whitechapel Road. He never communicated with anyone else as far as I know and would often remain in one spot for hours. I often wondered how he lost his leg and if perhaps he was traumatised in an injury during the war as a soldier.
Man on Whitechapel Road, 1987
Man on Whitechapel Road, 1983
It’s strange seeing people so regugularly and at the same time knowing nothing about them. I am pleased I was drawn to photograph him; one day he disappeared, I assume he died. These photographs remind me of him and the mysteries he took away with him. His attire would have enabled him to be at home in Victorian Whitechapel as well as the 1980’s.
Man asleep in the entrance to Whitechapel Station, 1985
He had the ability to sleep standing up. Perhaps he lived on the streets most of the time.
