Hackney Wick

Camille de Toledo writes “We need a new romance with our eyes open, we need to disregard cynicism against our helpfulness in modern society.” This is may well be the idea also to be found in Stephen Gill’s new book, that is approbiately selfpublished, published by Nobody, in the Archive of modern Conflict. The pictures, having been taken at Hackney Wick flea market outside of London, elicit this friendly irony, this romance in places where nobody would seek it, in places of conflict and neglect. With a beautiful inlay in collaboration with Laure Prouvost.

“Hackney Wick is a bleak and desolate place which fifteen years ago boasted a speedway track and greyhound stadium and has new aspirations as a site of the 2012 Olympic Games.
The young British photographer Stephen Gill purchased a Bakelite camera at the market for 50p and has used it to document The Wick’s strangely self-sufficient world and the frenetic activity of the people who occupy it. A plastic camera with a plastic case and lens, the camera has no focus or exposure controls. Its no-frills technology mirrors the functionality of the market itself and Gill’s resulting photographs exploit the spontaneous effects of the camera to reflect the energy and chaos.” Artshole –

“The secret life behind what we take at face value.”