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November 30, 2024This blog features images I’ve shot in the past year that are suggestive of abstract art. The compositions are sightings from the street and from my commutes and travels. These street abstracts all contain faces, sometimes fragmented or with misaligned geometry and remind me of different genres of contemporary art such as Cubism, Surrealism and Fauvism. The square window reveals an eye, which reminds me of the ‘reassembled’ geometry of some of Picasso’s Cubist portraits. Next, a couple of images featuring layers of torn posters that in turn create present day urban palimpsests; revelations of previous layers but with abstract qualities: Torn Reveal, Soho, November 2024 Torn in Soho, 2024 Below, metonymy and fragmentation at the Paris Metro, Fragmentation on the Paris Metro, 2024 Seeing Fauvism, London Underground, 2024 Above, distortion and for me a painterly Fauvist feel with this partially collapsed and folded billboard seen on London Underground. Below, a peeling poster in Camden that was flapping in the wind against a background of colourful graffiti provides an example of a found urban art composition: Next, a couple of found abstracts that share a focus on the eye. Both images contain free daily newspaper covers. In the first, spotted on a platform on London Underground, the cover has been squeezed and discarded. In the second the multiplicity of the folded papers placed at a station entrance create an abstract illusion : Abstract Cubist face/ creased discarded newspaper journal Some more abstract compositions featuring reflections combined with elements of geometry and nature: Eye & Earring at the Overground Below, an architectural illusion at Camden Town: Above, I was trying to catch the flying birds as a poetic bonus (and perhaps a nod to cinema and Hitchcock’s The Birds?) in this abstract scene which combines facial features and architectural facades. Next two colourful reflections. In the first image, shot in Paris, I wanted to suggest the idea of a modern tree god ; I like the way the face and branches merge. There’s an additional subtle layer of fine graffiti in the centre of the image which had been etched into glass and which for me adds a painterly and urban touch. The Soho Nights photo also contains graffiti as well as reflected signage. Parisian Illusion Soho Nights Finally a couple of images featuring digital billboards and juxtapositions: Detail of damaged billboard protected with yellow and black diagonal tape Abstract street scene – juxtaposition and reflections featuring digital billboard Related posts: Signs of Art in the streets of Venice Religious iconography and the everyday in Lecce Photographing Icons of Popular Culture – Subjective Takes Journey Towards the Last Days of Autumn [...] Read more...
October 25, 2024I’ve been thinking about using my photographs to create visual haikus. The original inspiration is a Japanese poem often evoking nature and ephemera. The traditional format for a haiku is three lines containing 17 syllables (the first line has 5 syllables , line two 7 and line three 5). Here is an experimental autumnal haiku using photographs I’ve taken between 2016 and 2024. Most of the images were shot locally in London and contain English language text with the exception of 5th syllable, photographed at a New York Subway, which references Yiddish. Tired & Toothless Oy Empty We Will Dance Again Stop Look Look for Love Related posts: London’s Autumn Colours glue glyphs: texts and abstracts Graffiti and “chochmah” Venice Carnival Part 2: Coriandoli, abstracts and fleeting moments [...] Read more...
September 17, 2024Back in 1973 The New York Times featured an article whose headline was The T-Shirt Has Become the Medium for a Message. Some 50 years later, I’ve gathered a selection of photographs I’ve taken in the last 18 months or so where text on clothing have caught my attention; the words and language providing an insight, voicing what might be otherwise unsaid. This blog is the first in a new series on individual style and identity. As I go through my image archives, I realise that I can break down the different genres into sub-groups, some of which are quite specific. Documenting examples of how people express themselves through clothing, accessories, hair, and more permanent visual designs such as tattoos, these sub-groups merit their own dedicated instalment. The other day in Soho a man in a fuchsia coloured fedora hat was walking down the middle of Frith Street. But it was his T shirt that really grabbed my attention: The combination of humour and probably more than a grain of truth brought to mind another T shirt that made me smile. Below, a portrait of a fellow salsa dancer who goes by the name of Bungle, taken at the Hyde Park Bandstand: Next, a couple more portraits taken at salsa dance events where the T shirt wording has caught my eye. Below, Djibril, whose T shirt conveys a more cryptic message, perhaps a sign of the times: Above, a dancer in Kings Cross. I like the fact the words are in inverted commas. Perhaps a subtle, updated reference to the iconic 80’s T shirt FRANKIE SAYS RELAX, designed by Katherine Hammett? Next, I asked this big, bearded chap sporting a top with the words MAN BEAST whether I could take his portrait: Man Beast Below, my husband Stephen wearing a T Shirt where the text challenges the stigma and stereotypes around masculinity and mental health: Boys Get Sad Too, even when the sky is blue. I shot the following images at an Awards Ceremony organised by the Advantages of Age in November 2023 (where I had the honour to be nominated in the category of late emerging artist). These clothes, designed by Suzi Warren feature brightly coloured phrases which subvert the stereotypes of desirability. In her own words “Rise up ye hags! Reclaim the pejorative words used to dismiss older women”. Detail of outfit worn by Suzanne Noble Rose Rouse’s jacket seen from the back Next some shots where the wording expresses appreciation, love and positivity: Woman spotted in Zara, Oxford Street wearing earrings stating 100% BLESSED Momtaz Begum-Hossain at the London Colour Walk – the red hearts containing positive affirmations. Finally, literally wearing a heart on one’s sleeve, this reference to the classic Beatle’s song. The concept of spreading messages of love through clothing is one that appeals to me: All You Need is Love, sleeve detail seen at the 2023 Advantages of Age Awards LINKS Advantages of Age Awards Boys Get Sad Too Suzi Warren Momtaz Begum-Hossain London Colour Walk New York Times Related posts: Googly Eyes & Eyebombing – A Photographic Collection of my Favourite Encounters Gotta photograph that hat! Fashion and Individuality Eyes Around Town [...] Read more...
July 25, 2024I’ve just returned from a bucket-list trip to the Gnaoua Music Festival which takes place yearly in Essaioura, a breezy coastal town in Morocco. I was first introduced to this genre of music, also known as Gnawa, over thirty years ago. An album called Night Spirit Masters: Gnawa Music of Marrakesh produced by the late Bill Laswell literally entranced me. Decades later, I finally made it to the festival together with my husband Stephen. Abstract with Palm Tree/ View from the side of the Beach Stage, Essaouira Festival Poster featuring Gnaoua castanets known as krakeb/ qaraqueb, Essaouira, 2024 One of the features of this festival is that some of the concerts are collaborations between Moroccan masters of traditional Gnaoua music known as Ma’alems and international musicians playing a variety of genres. A Maalem is usually the lead singer and plays a bass-like stringed instrument called a Guembri. Below, a shot taken in a Gnawa Music store in Essaouira. The owner Hajoub demonstrated the Guembri. Behind him are rows of the metal percussion instruments called qaraqueb. Hajoub demonstrating the Guembri at his Gnawa Music Shop On the opening evening of the festival I was privileged to catch an incredible fusion concert featuring artists from Morocco, The Ivory Coast, Spain and Brazil. The participating Brazilian act were Ilê Aiyê, an Afro-bloco carnival group from Salvador, Bahia, We’d spent a week in Morocco prior to the festival. The day before the opening ceremony, at a cafe on the Medina, I was sitting on a stool facing the window and saw some brightly dressed people walking past. I recognised them as members of Ilê Aiyê and told my husband that I was going to try and catch up with them: Members of Ilê Aiyê walking past Mandala Society Cafe in the Medina, Essaouira Catching up with some band members Dancers walking in the Medina Beleza in the Medina The following morning I was walking along the seafront when once again I spotted some of the musicians: I reintroduced myself and they posed for some photos – here’s a group shot: Percussionists on the seafront Next a series of images taken during a daytime performance by the group on Day 2 of the Festival at The Sqala, a historic fortress by the port of Essaouira: A member of the public joins in with some Capoeira moves Ilê Aiyê have been touring Europe and are playing London’s Barbican Centre this coming Friday 26 July alongside Margareth Menezes. I’m looking forward to seeing them again! Links https://www.ileaiye.org.br https://www.festival-gnaoua.net/en/homepage/ Related posts: Portraits over the weekend New Images of Dance at London’s Afro Cuban Night Dance Like Nobody’s Watching – Images of Movement in a Domestic Space Roses are Red – The Sant Jordy Festival in Girona [...] Read more...
July 4, 2024This blog is devoted to the representation of roses. I’ve encountered roses in a variety of ways in the last few months; these images encompass different genres including documentary, fashion, still life, travel and street photography. Barcelona: Architecture decorated with large fabric roses in anticipation of the Sant Jordi Festival, April 2024 Last year I wrote a piece about the Sant Jordi Festival in Girona, a Catalan St. George’s Day celebration where books and red roses are traditionally handed out to loved ones. In April 2024 I revisited Girona via Barcelona with my husband who was out there for a cycling trip. We were due to return to London on the actual day of the festival. However, a serious cycling accident (his second in 12 months) meant that Stephen was hospitalised in Girona for several days before and after the festival. Initially he was in intensive care but was moved to a trauma ward after a couple of days. Stephen receiving a Sant Jordi red rose from me in the trauma ward The following photographs were taken at the Josep Trueta Hospital in Girona: Medical Students selling roses outside the Josep Trueta hospital during the Sant Jordi Festival Passing security on Sant Jordi day Doctors’ feet and symbolic Sant Jordi foyer display at Josep Trueta Hospital Red rose in pulp urinal On my daily walks to and from the hospital I encountered walkers carrying the long stemmed red rose: Elsewhere in Girona during Sant Jordi: Books and Roses Strolling with red roses was ubiquitous; not exclusive to Catholicism Multi Generational celebration Market Stall Hanging out on the bridge I had been feeling extremely anxious, lonely and sorry for myself when the woman in the coffee shop I’d been visiting handed out tiny red roses to the customers. I thought it was a lovely gesture and took a partial selfie as a souvenir: The last few months have been challenging and on returning to London I found myself finding solace and relaxation in the beauty and aromas of the Queen Mary Rose Gardens in London’s Regents Park. Woman visiting Queen Mary’s Rose Garden – her name happened to be Rosie Sleeping amongst the roses I revisited the park a couple of weeks later and it was pouring with rain: Sheltering from the rain Just after the rain Vibrant roses after the rain Matching hair to the appropriately named Rock & Roll rose. Next, a series of images on the theme of roses and personal style where the iconic flower is recreated in either fabric of print form. Sinead Brid who also creates flower crowns and headdresses caught relaxing after a London Colour Walk James from the London Bookbarge Word on the Water wearing a hat accessorised with a white rose Writer and Co-founder of the Advantages of Age, Rose Rouse, snapped from behind at a recent Word on the Water poetry reading Baby in decorative rose-patterned turban, Hyde Park Marisa Mendez at the London Colour Walk, March 2024 At Kings Cross, woman in rose petal heart-shaped bodice Creative outfit featuring vintage rose print fabric. The designer is seated on steps by Central St.Martins, an arts university in Granary Square An appropriate rose patterned umbrella at a wet Bloomsbury in Bloom, May 2024 Family outing to London’s Day of the Dead Celebration George Skeggs aka Soho George at the 2024 Grand Flaneur Walk in stylish monochrome with white rose lapel pin Finally a couple of shots from Essaouira in Morocco where Stephen and I just visited for a music festival. More on Essaiouria to follow! Cafe table with sleeping cat and roses, Essaouira Roses at Villa Maroc in Essaouira Related posts: Roses are Red – The Sant Jordy Festival in Girona hamsa and the representation of hands in graffiti Venice Carnival Part 1: masquerade and fancy dress A Year of Roses [...] Read more...
May 31, 2024The other day I popped into Kew Gardens. Admiring one of Mark Quinn’s nature-inspired sculptures, I took a selfie at a moment when the half term crowds were not in the frame, and the reflected landscape had a flowing, painterly quality. In addition to the instant painting, which appeals to the lazy/ time-efficient artist in me, depending on one’s perspective, I also like the way my body and trousers are distorted to form a kind of cropped hieroglyph. Below, another selfie taken earlier in the year in Soho featuring surreal vertical footprints: I’ve selected a number of images taken so far in 2024 that include some form of reflection. The following photographs have building facades as part of the mix: Filmic Reflections, Earlham Street Dreaming of Saxophones Brass Hand Illusion The image below features a section of musical score from the Brazilian film Bicho de Sete Cabecas. Shadows are cast on Gui Tavares’ hand, musician and director of vocal group Nossa Voz, who I’ve been singing with since 2024: In the next image, the guitarist from the band Amaraterra is juxtaposed with fairy lights and a reflected Kenneth Town: Above, another recent reflection from Kentish Town (see my Persian Kentish Town Gallery) Here’s Looking at You, Kid / It’s All Happening on Oxford Street Abstract Landscape After the Rain, Covent Garden Chequered London Cityscape Mannequin Illusion Red and Yellow in Soho Next, a couple of reflections taken at bus stops and on trains: A few shots taken at Bar Italia, Soho: L’amore Top Hat, Cane and Michelangelo Saturday Night Fever, Little Italy Below, a dapper dude seen at the 2024 Grand Flaneur Walk. Also an opportunity for a selfie in his mirror shades: My husband Stephen before setting off for a ride in Girona, Catalunya, Spain in April 2024. You can seen bike wheels reflected in his shades. Unfortunately this ride resulted in a serious accident which he is now recovering well from. More reflections from Catalunya: Artichokes in Barcelona Lego in Gaudi’s Barcelona Eiffel Bridge and Reflections, Onyar River, Girona Tapas Bar Abstract, Girona Above, taken during a spring festival performance in Girona a brass band musician is reflected in his instrument. Three images that include mirror reflections. Firstly a street abstract with torn posters and reflected nature in a scooter mirror: Street Abstract with Scooter Mirror Reflection Maur Valance in the Mirror, Kings Cross Above, at the Design Museum during their exhibition Rebel: 30 Years of London Fashion, a visitor sits at a recreated backstage make-up booth with interactive augmented reality mirrors. And finally one from yesterday – on a visit to Granary Square in Kings Cross, a view of the Regent’s Canal with reflected footbridge and clouds. Regent’s Canal, Kings Cross Related posts: Street Abstracts & Illusions featuring London Buses Surreal Facades: Illusions and Reflections in London’s Streets On Scooters Journey Towards the Last Days of Autumn [...] Read more...