Studio 3, Halpern Gallery
15a High Street, Rochester, Medway ME1 1PY
07989711965
Artist
Artist
London Portraits
London Portraits is in two parts, the first part of the collection is - ‘Life Sentences’, in a series of nine paintings - two people who are a loss to the London west end cultural platform (former landlord of the French house Gaston Berlemont , and former landlady of the Colony Club Muriel Belcher) added to this are the other seven who are keeping London alive - quietly doing what they do, with a respect and understanding of London’s creative and cultural history; Graeme Webb a photographer/ writer/ restorer/ bookbinder, Jason Holmes a journalist/writer, Lou Boy a tattooist and author, Martin Brighty a 6th generation tailor, Trisha a basement bar owner in Soho, Johnnie Sapong an international session stylist and last- myself!
I see these people as vanguards for storytelling and historical/cultural ‘documenters’. The important thread binding all of the subjects is this understanding and appreciation of what went before; an interest in all of the facets of history, politics, social change, literature and art. Keeping the soul of London as diverse and as interesting as it always has been - in spite of the continuing homogeneity of the West End and Soho.
The second series of portraits is a look at those free spirited, creative individuals from the 1980s, who went on to become style & cultural icons in their own right in the fields of; art, dance, design, music and performance. Their legacy has spawned countless imitators, but their original essence lives in and remains a reminder of genuine creativity and how it can change not only an age but influence all that follows. Michael Clark, Franko B, Nick Logan, Jon Savage, Corrine Day, Scarlett Cannon, Judy Blame, Philip Sallon.
All the paintings are on un-primed wooden panels.