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
Brick Lane Tea Pot
This curvaceous tea pot has caught the attention of the two men standing near the Bagel shop on Brick Lane. They obviously know the man carrying the pot and have seized the opportunity to engage in some street banter.
Man with a curvaceous tea pot on Brick Lane, 2002
A smaller tea pot has caught the attention of this boy (below) at the Sunday market in Sclater Street.
Boy examining a small teapot at the Sclater Street market, 1987
Seven Stars Brick Lane
The former Seven Stars pub on Brick Lane had quite a reputation for ‘erotic dancing’. There were two bars. The one at the back facilitated drinking and conversation without interruption from live entertainment. I have fond memories of the place and regret that it has been closed for many years. The building nevertheless has served as a magnet for graffiti artists and fly posters over the years. Today I can reveal a moment in the back bar which captures a history not revealed, inspired or related to the daubing outside.
Children walk past the Seven Stars pub, Brick Lane 2002
The exterior of the pub has changed rapidly on a weekly basis. The more recent photograph below illustrates the side entrance and the ‘public art’ it attracted.
The Seven Stars pub, Brick Lane 2009
The real Seven Stars is revealed below.
Seven Stars Pub, Brick Lane 1999
Rogue Supermarket Trolleys
Man with supermarket trolley outside the Whitechapel gallery, 1989
I’ve noticed recently that supermarkets go to great lengths to prevent trolleys being removed from their premises. So it is with pleasure that I present these photographs of liberated trolleys from my archive. The man on Whitechapel Rd is framed magically by the entrance of the Whitechapel gallery creating a moment that suggests an installation that has spilled from the gallery onto the street. He is using the trolley probably to replenish restaurant supplies. In contrast the family below were photographed on the sea front at Brighton on a anti nuclear demo in the early 1980’s. Here the trolley doubles magnificently as a child carrier and a piece of agitprop demonstrating some of many alternative uses these trolleys can be put to.
Supermarket trolley on Brighton sea front, early 1980's
In contrast to the noble alternative uses above this sad trolley (below) was photographed on the edge of the river Thames just where it shouldn’t be.
River Thames with supermarket trolley, 2007
