PHIL MAXWELL

Cars

January 16, 2011

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

January 15, 2011

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

Betting shop blues

January 14, 2011

Betting shop, Whitechapel 1986

The man wearing a hat is waiting for a result to appear on the display on the opposite wall. I’ve never seen anyone smiling in a betting shop. Customers always seem to be depressed. Another characteristic of behaviour is that customers appear to be in their own world separated from everyone else. Conversation is infrequent so there is an eery silence even when the betting shop is crowded.