October 7, 2015 – 10:26 pm
After documenting the Pinter Prize for English PEN at the British Library last night I came away with several portraits. The one of winner, James Fenton was used by the Guardian HERE. It accompanies the transcript of the speech made by Julian Barnes about James as an introduction to him receiving the award. I took a portrait of Julian in the green room rehearsing that speech just before he went on stage with it.
Julian Barnes rehearsing speech
Meeting Peter Tatchell at the reception for the award was a particular privilege for me. I’ve admired his human rights work for many years and shot this portrait in the cafeteria of the British Library which was closed at the time but had been left open. Peter was very generous in agreeing to be photographed and momentarily breaking from the literati which included an impressive array of its figureheads. The “PAY HERE” sign refers to the fact that he strives to hold perpetrators of injustices to account while simultaneously accepting the hardships that his life mission provokes. It’s also a similar colour to his shirt.
Peter Tatchell
And finally the great James Fenton mid acceptance speech.
James Fenton
August 26, 2015 – 2:31 pm
Taken in the basement of a derelict building – way on down South London Town.
I just filmed Pedro Reyes’ conversations at Station to Station at the Barbican for The Lisson Gallery. South American artist, Reyes contucted a series of investigative conversations with a range of different spiritual leaders from Rastas to Shamans, over the course of a weekend and called it Spiritual Speed-date. This is Reyes with a Suffi Muslim and a Catholic Priest.
Pedro Reyes with a Suffi Muslim and a Catholic Priest
Whilst there I wandered into Marcus Coates’ workshop area and took this portrait of him. I’ve enjoyed his artwork since I went to see his classic film…. CLICK HERE!
Marcus Coates portrait
And some of the others
By George
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March 11, 2015 – 12:40 pm
Molly McQueen and Jackie Jibbles portraits
I was asked to shoot portraits and document the performers at Cirque de la Quirk last Friday night. It’s the latest project from the delectable Molly McQueen, formally of noughties band The Faders. Her vision is to create a cabaret party brand that can traverse the festival circuit. There was definitely something of the festival atmosphere as the heady crowd (elaborately dressed in steam punk and burlesque couture) were bedazzled by magicians, dance-offs, hoop-girls and (yes of course) live DJ sets.
Wolfgang Guy Geuth portrait
Rob Voodoo portrait
Party girls portrait
This fine event took place at the strangely named club/bar “The Stillery” in Camden Town. The word “stillery” is a fictional one and a bizarre name for a club space although arguably not quite at silly as its former name of “WKDs” which, in all fairness, really was a bit of a dive. (Remember being forced to go there due to the limited late night options for one last whiskey and coke?) What makes the name even more questionable is the fact that it suggests a distillation process has taken place on the premises at some point in its history. Given that it’s part of the monstrous Sainsbury’s development that opened in 1988 I can safely say that any notion that it was once a distillery is a self-perpetuated myth. Incidentally, the man responsible for this architectural blotch on the Camden landscape is Nicholas Grimshaw (the architect not the smug faced DJ) who I happen to know resides in the area. I hope he weeps each time he pops out for bread and milk…. *fade out rant, fade in thumping techno*
By George
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February 20, 2015 – 6:20 pm
Last night I was filming a performance based art-piece by Silia Ziranek for OMNI prints at their launch party of their funky new premises in London Bridge. At the after party (and after several nuclear strength Whisky Macs) I asked Silvia if I could take her portrait and was pretty pleased with the result, especially given the lateness of the hour.
Silia Ziranek portrait
Congrats to OMNI for the opening of their new arch space which looked fantastic and thanks for all the incredible food and non-stop cocktails, although consequentially today has been a bit of a fuzzy Friday (“..for whatever one sows, that will he also reap”. Galatians 6:7).
I’ve been asked to do some interior shots of their new space so watch this space. Find out more about OMNI HERE and more about Silvia HERE
January 30, 2015 – 9:54 pm
DEMS are an indie-electronica trio from South London. I’ll allow them to define themselves by giving a link to their site HERE where there is plenty examples of their music and vids. I took this portrait for them earlier this week. I’ve decided 2015 will be the Year of the Coloured Gel – far cooler than a Year of the Goat. Sorry China.
I’m a massive fan and had the pleasure of being invited to attend their album launch last night at Corsica Studios. Turned out to be utterly rammed and a cracking gig. The new album is wicked and I foresee great things for this band in 2015.
December 16, 2014 – 5:38 pm
I took this portrait of Oliver Harris recently. Oli is halfway through writing a series of detective novels. The first two which are available from Vintage are set mostly around London. The novels hinge around the experiences of the self-destructive genius Detective Nick Belsey of Hampstead CID. Read more about him and his work HERE
I wanted to capture Oli in an urban London setting – the elevation was important to denote his over-riding perspective and the living room setting highlights the mental journey of the author (or indeed the reader) as imagination kicks in.
October 19, 2014 – 5:26 pm
Salman Rushdie Portrait
I covered the Pinter Prize for English PEN recently and took this portrait of Rushdie – the winner. I wanted to portray the depth of his creative capacity and the darkness from his past. Shadow seemed the perfect metaphor for both.
I’m participating in a group exhibition which will run for a week starting Saturday 7th June. I’m exhibiting several new works and the exhibition space is on the top floor of a colossal warehouse so it will be well worth coming and having a look. The show is conceived and curated by the irrepressible Liza Kenrick. If I haven’t already invited you and you want to come to the opening night party on the 6th contact Liza on the email address below and beg for it.
For Facebook link please click HERE
George Torode Art
George Torode Photographer