Writing on the wall
Street art, Athens 2005
When I was in Athens in 2005 I found myself drawn to the street art which had started to grace the windows of empty shops in central Athens. Looking at these images six years later I can’t help feeling they are an incisive comment on the consumer society and the ills that attend it.
Street art, Athens 2005
Surely this angry fish prophecies the protesters who were to take to the streets some years later and express their anger against Bankers and the Government.
Street art, Athens 2005
A turbulent sea expresses the looming international economic crisis that will engulf the world and Greece in particular.
Poster fragment on wall of empty shop, Athens 2005
This poster fragment merging with the distressed plaster hints at antiquity. All of these photographs were taken a short distance from the Parthenon.
Portrait on empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
I was impressed how all this spontaneous street art had gravitated to the empty commercial premises as if inescapable truths were being revealed.
Sticker with a message, Athens 2005
This sticker sat comfortably with the fluid art as if it was an explanation of the work in a gallery.
Message on empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
In every city in the world it is possible to find an imprint on walls which speaks of contemporary issues. The impermanence of these rude imprints raises fascination with them. Its something you don’t want to miss.
Shop window, Athens 2005
The undressed mannequins in this clothes shop window seemed to resonate with the messages painted onto adjoining empty premises.
Mermaid on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
Mermaid flipper painted on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
Credit cards and painting on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
This juxtaposition of the credit cards, artists paint and the empty shop perhaps says it all.
Credit cards and painting on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
Painting on the window of empty commercial premises, Athens 2005
The Parthenon 2005
Walking sticks
Woman with a walking stick, Watney Market 2008
Man with walking stick, Brick Lane 1987
Man with a walking stick, near Whitechapel gallery 2009
Man with a walking stick, Whitechapel Road 1984
Man with a walking stick, Whitechapel Station 2010
Man with a walking stick, Whitechapel Station 2010
Woman in a photo booth, Whitechapel station 1983
Man outside the Black Bull, Whitechapel Road 1987
Outside the Pie & Mash Shop
Bethnal Green Road, Pie & Mash shop 1985
Two women outside the Pie & Mash Shop 2008
Cars
Car in a glass case, Canary Wharf 2000
This car, protected by a glass case, seems to represent the way cars dominate the world. Positioned at the base of Canary Wharf it appears to be canonized by capitalism. The glass case exults the car and deflects any criticism. Cars pollute the air, water and land. The car in a glass case is presented as a sacred artefact which we should all respect and aspire to own.
Car advertisement, Whitechapel Road 2008
If we commit the heresy of ignoring the car then we are constantly reminded of its mechanical omnipresence. We won’t be told that most ozone pollution is caused by cars and lorries.
Car on Brick Lane, 2002
Car in Dhaka Bangladesh, 2009
Every day about 3,000 people die and 30,000 people are seriously injured on the world’s roads in traffic crashes. Most of the victims will never own a car, and many are children.
Car in Budapest, 2003
Traffic jam in Bangkok, 2008
Lady in a head scarf
Lady in a head scarf, Commercial Street 1989
This lady fascinated me probably because of the combination of the head scarf and dark glasses which she always wore. She had a kind of quirky elegance and an air of mystery about her. I hope to return to her in the future as I dig further into my archive. The photograph below is the only one I took of her with her partner. If you look carefully you will see a partial reflection of the photographer.
Couple in Sclater Street, 1998
