Painting Hastings
This is the painter David Reeve. He is inspired by the land and seascape of Hastings. He captures the essence of the place and serves it up in a way that gently encourages the viewer to celebrate space, light and sea as it reveals boats and the legacy of a fading fish economy. David’s art reminds us of the connection the town has with the sea.
Artist David Reeve, 2010
I feel these photographs were influenced by the conversations that leap from Reeve’s Hastings paintings. As a photographer I am aware of the moment in time that can be captured by a short exposure. This mechanical or digital process is of a different order to the painting Reeve returns to year after year in a continuing exploration of the land and sea around Hastings.
Empty fishing boat on the beach in Hastings, 2000
The absence of fisherman in this photograph (above) suggests that the boat is a monument to a bygone era where the sea was central to Hastings life.
Boat on Buriganga river, Dhaka 1998
The fishing boat in Dhaka is alive with fisherman. The boat on the Hastings beach seems lifeless and abandoned.
Fishing boat, Hastings 2000
Begal thoughts
Over the years I’ve noticed how the Begal shop at the top of Brick Lane is part of a space that appears to induce a state of reflection for some people. The lady below seems detached from her surroundings and her mind is possibly somewhere else. Is she remembering the past?
Woman with her thoughts outside the Begal shop in Brick Lane, 2009
We have seen this man before pushing his bike in Grimsby Street. Here we see him in a more reflective mood sitting on a milk crate with his bike parked against the metal gate behind him.
Man sitting on a milk crate outside the Begal shop, Brick Lane 1985
Slow bike race and more
Below we see a slow bike race in Spitalfields. The winner was the rider who could cycle the slowest without falling off their bike.
Slow bike race in Spitalfields, 1984
The boy on the bike below pauses among the street debris which includes furniture and a stenciled door announcing ‘new media’.
Boy on a bike in Sclater Street, 2000
Boys on a bike in Old Town Marakech, 2005
Children with a bike on Brick Lane, 1984
Children with bicycles at the entrance of Pauline House in Hanbury Street, 1985
Trolley Heaven
I believe street photographers may be unwittingly drawn to particular elements of street life. Looking through my archive I’ve noticed a preponderance to record people pushing shopping trolleys around the East End of London. I have so many of these photographs which I want to share as they seem to say so much about character, place and belonging. Here are a few more of a lady I have revealed before together with some more recent additions.
Lady with a trolley in Spitalfields, 1999
Lady pushing a trolley in Spitalfields, 1999
This gentlemen (below) came up to me to complain about the 25 bus service. He must have thought I would be a good listener and was oblivious to my camera; I agreed with his sentiments regarding the 25 bus.
Man with a trolley on Whitechapel Rd, 2010
Lady pushing a shopping trolley, Brick Lane 2009
Rainbows East and West
The protruding hand from this rainbow bus in Dhaka leads me to the rainbows I have come to enjoy in Whitechapel over many years.
Rainbow city bus with potruding hand, Dhaka 2009
Rainbow over Whitechapel, 2006
