Bricklane Kinship & Family
2022 - 2023
The anthropological documentary short-film ‘Bricklane Family & Kinship’ follows the day to day occurances and surreality I see everyday as a market trader.
It documents the incessant overturning of objects from one hand to another, and imparting of intergenerational knowledge, but also the less glamourous side of poverty, and the fight to continue traditional and marginal ways of life in the harsh, ever-evolving london backdrop.
It documents the incessant overturning of objects from one hand to another, and imparting of intergenerational knowledge, but also the less glamourous side of poverty, and the fight to continue traditional and marginal ways of life in the harsh, ever-evolving london backdrop.
Though I have visited the market all my life growing-up, as a relatively new trader I approached the anthropological film from a stand point of a semi- insider, imbued with a sense of wonder and amazement at the surreality of the life I see daily but inducted into the community network also. From this stand-point I saw more than the tourists and transients who pass through for famous Beigels to wonder at the place and the buzz but observe without actually seeing.
Being a young semi-insider, I was not yet dulled to the ins and outs of the circumstance, the chaos, the harshness and hard-graft of working on the market.
Through this lens I was able to form connections, ties and form my own community of of a wide and colourful breadth of people (who I can firmly call my kin), but with a single commonality - our love of Bricklane Market and what comes hand in hand with it.
This allowed me to approach the documentary initially from what I deemed to be funny, moving, and true to my experience as a newcomer, and of the experiences of those living in the vicinity of Bricklane their whole lives.
The intention of the film is to give a glimmer of insight into Bricklane Market, to an audience unfamiliar with it and its longstanding traditions, as well as insight into what I truly see it to be internally.
The intention of the film is to give a glimmer of insight into Bricklane Market, to an audience unfamiliar with it and its longstanding traditions, as well as insight into what I truly see it to be internally.
But the film is also a self-indulgent and deeply personal ode to the ones I love, who have kindly taken me under their wing, shown me the ropes, and provided endless stories and joy. Thank you.
In loving memory of Dean.
In loving memory of Dean.
Films
Bricklane Portraits
In 2022 I started to document the Bicklane traders I saw around me daily, having worked on London markets and been involved in the community for some time. The portraits here show traders and customers I know personally, though many were not willing to be photographed.
Images
'Bricklane Kinship and Family'. Traditionally to be known as a 'true' Cockney you have to be born within earshot of the Bow Bells from the Church of St Mary Le Bow in Cheapside, the East End of London. Dean the younger (53) and Jim the elder (80) have lived in Bow their whole lives. I first met the pair 2 years ago at Bricklane Market where I work, and they frequent, drinking tea in their van. They have since added 2 new canine members to their family, Fester and Blister
Dean and Jim Risograph print 2022From key anthropological texts such as ‘Family and Kinship in East London (1957)’ - from which the documentary gains its name - was able to understand that, alike my own experience, for centuries the family and kinship provided from the east end has been integral to its support, survival and allowed it to thrive. As a multinational, multigenerational hub of refuge and culture.
