Sometimes I will trawl through my ‘library’ of photos, and might pick out an interesting image. Then I might see another picture that has nothing in common, with the first; and move on. Two or three more might grab my attention, then I start to experiment and compose some semblance of a narrative, introducing or discarding the components, as I go on. This is a good example of something that came out of such a process. The amphitheatre is at the University, the lion is on the steps of City Hall, and the other object,.. at the top right of the image is part of a wheel assembly of a train. The title came out of the blue. Perhaps I wasn’t in a good mood (?)
Hooning
Hooning is what bored youngsters do on a quiet stretch of road in Australia (which are not hard to find) or New Zealand. It is basically spinning the tyres and leaving rubber marks on the road, amidst a cloud of smoke. I saw a lot of these marks as I travelled around. You can see the side of my van on the right of the picture. The pub tables were upturned outside the Fat Percy, on West End St. Norwich. I put one of the tables in the picture, liked it, so I introduced a couple more. It perversely made sense! The camera angle of the road was viewed on purpose , to get all the tyre marks in. I darkened the marks to make them more prominent.
Kandinsky Mosaic
Just noodling around with some photos of different paving slabs and groundwork, I got carried away, as you can see! I eventually got to the result and was struck how much it vaguely resembled a typical Kandinsky. He was a Russian painter (1866-1944) who is attributed for pioneering abstract art.
It’s Going To Be Uphill All The Way
The road and pavement are separate, but are here in Norwich. I added a few more manhole covers and drains on the pavement for effect. The road is a montage of different road surfaces. The background is a collage of two landscapes, probably in NSW and/or Victoria. The tank was being exhibited at an airshow in Suffolk. I brought the different aspects through experimenting in the construction of the image. Thinking of the title was the last thing I did, when looking at the finished picture.
Potboiler
This picture became a bit of a long process, to come to its final conclusion. The ‘sky’ was a lime green wall, falling into disrepair, at a car wash station on the Sprowston Road. The water tower (?) is in the Lion Wood Local Nature Reserve, just off Telegraph lane. The other two structures are part of Earlham Crematorium. There is a tall oblong tower that sits between the apex and the chimney, that I eventually removed. I came across the ceremonial complex and was struck by the different shapes, in the bright sunshine. The spheres and cubes were introduced later. I was thinking of Cezannes quote about nature comprising of a cylinder, sphere and cone when I started this image. A lot of adding and subtracting, and then cutting through the objects was employed before I settled for the end result. Truly, a potboiler!
Social Platforming
This is the newly pedestrianised Westlegate, by Jarrolds department store. I have replaced the plants that are on a raised bed, behind the low brick wall. I was interested in the swirls and straight lines of the brick work., and the colours which I accentuated. The two mannequin heads were in a fashion shop window, just around the corner, on All Saints. The title became apparent as I was constructing the picture. Look closely, and you can see my reflection, on the jaw of the head on the left.
Key To The Gate
These three elements were photographed individually, on the same day. There was no plan, but they fell in together quite well. The arched front door belongs to the old Bethel Hospital, founded 1713 by Mary Chapman, which has become residential flats. I liked the way the early morning sun lit the edifice. I cut away the door, to reveal the front cover of my doorbell, which is connected to the button outside. It was made by Friesland of Stockport…for you doorbell buffs, out there. I found the padlock lying in the road, so I propped it up and photographed it, as you do! These three objects, as I said, seemed perfect for each other.
It All Leans To The Left
London Street in Norwich was the first to become pedestrianised in the country, fifty years ago. So it was deemed about time to be refurbished, with the paving work and street furniture replaced. This newly installed curving public bench, can be found at the Bank Plain end of the street. I came across it during the Covid-19 lockdown, so it was unused. I have placed it on the South Quay in Yarmouth, which was equally devoid of people and vehicles. The building/factory on the horizon, is on the Great Eastern Highway (94), along the way to Kalgoorlie WA. I have used it in another picture (Escape), but is a different shot. I distorted the angle of the building , liked it and kept it, hence the title!
Brick Klimt Bride
I was the photographer at my nieces wedding. Abbi is being helped into her dress, by the two bridesmaids, whose names I have forgotten, sorry I will rectify that. They are two on the right hand side of the composition. Behind Abbi is her sister Ellice, tightening the lace tie, and in the centre is my sister Jacquie. They were of course all wearing long silk dresses, so I have perversely replaced them with brick and pebble! Gustav Klimt was a nineteenth century symbolist painter, who lived and worked in Vienna. If you look at his style of painting, you will be able to understand why, I gave the title that I have. A very tenuous parallel.
Cornering
The B23, Main South Rd. runs down a hill and sweeps west to Sellicks Hill, and then on to Adelaide. It is here in a lay-by that a load of gravel had been dumped for roadworks. The curve is like turning a corner, that leads to the straight road onwards. Spread upon the pile of gravel, are protective brass corners, that I found myself polishing, before fixing them on to display boards. I was doing this for Ronaldo Ices who I used to work for. I delivered all around East Anglia and loved it, and Simon my boss. So.. I thought I would take the opportunity and photograph them. Obviously they are much larger in the picture than they would be, in relation to the pile. Cornering…geddit?