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.
Hand Trolleys
Without hand trolleys the final journey of goods would come to an abrupt halt. There is an army of people accross the world, largely unnoticed, ensuring that goods are transported to their final destination.
Brick Lane, 1983
New York, 2005
Whitechapel, 2009
Junction of Heneage Street and Brick Lane, 1985
Market Forces
Man pushing waste container. Manhattan, New York 2005
Man pushing a cart. Dhaka, Bangladesh 2009
Pushing & pulling, Brick Lane 2002
Man pulling a cart. Chittagong, Bangladesh 2008
Market Style
Lady outside newsagents, Whitechapel 1983
Out on a hot summers day this lady has sensibly used a woolly hat to keep the sun away. Her eccentric ensemble is championed by a flowery dress giving her a mark of distinction that happily removes us from the flavourless surroundings. The push chair she commands contains a coat and some bags so she has probably just begun to shop. On the day I took this photograph I can confirm that for me she was certainly the Queen of Whitechapel market.
The lady below illuminates Watney market with her shopping trolley and stylish dress. The squares of the trolley, curves of the shopping bag and psychedelic geometry of her dress combine to ensure we all have a better shopping experience.
Lady with shopping trolley. Watney market, Stepney 2009
