Whitechapel Windows
Whitechapel shop window, 1983
This wonderfully disorganised window reflects a terrace of houses which were demolished in the early 1980’s.
Alberts mens clothes shop, 1987
Alberts clothes shop on Whitechapel Road always has a sale on. On this occasion customers are invited to look at “oddments from our normal high class merchandise”.
Alberts shop, 2007
In 2007 string vests are the special attraction in the sale.
Man passing clothes shop on Petticoat Lane, 1988
This gentlemen passes a lifeless mannequin and breathes life into the window. A few seconds earlier I photographed his hands which were featured in an earlier post.
James ‘Banjo’ Cross
Resting outside a shop on Whitechapel Road, 1982
This gentleman was a familiar site around Whitechapel until he was murdered in 1987 by three boys.
Banjo on Whitechapel Road, 1982
I realised who he was many years later when I read ‘Rodinsky’s Room’ by Rachel Lichenstein and Iain Sinclair. In the afterword Rachel gives an account of a meeting with Nicholas Johnson a former resident of Fournier Street. Johnson knew ‘Banjo’ and passed on a photograph of him to Rachel which appeared in subsequent editions of the book.
Banjo on Brick Lane, 1983
When I saw the photograph of him in the book I realised that these photographs were of James Cross.
Banjo on Brick Lane, 1983
Banjo on Brick Lane, 1983
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
