Comments on: So Long, Colin O’Brien

By: Mrs. Annette Keith

Mrs. Annette Keith — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 09:40:43 +0000

Perhaps, the idea of the wealth of a person’s artistic capacity, left for some to enjoy, or study? Lucky for this writer who met Colin O’Brien, and shared walks and discussions on his work, to have a memory of a friend is certainly a loss of time, moments reflecting on different scenes and people, with a camera that exposes light to film a negative print valued and sold?
I am now 70 years old and have seen the best of my friends through differing periods and years, all have left earth’s walks. Fortunate have I been, to learn, enjoy, talk over art, certain shared writers or news reports, places of travel, unique people that a dessert and good cup of coffee after a mean, where ideas of philosophy, cathedrals of historic value, charm of a Midwestern fall.
Love is certainly worth time spent, to lose a friend, means we will meet them again. So Bucky Fuller stated to a dear friend whose husband died, having share life, death in a whirlwind of destruction in a camp during WW Two, and long life in marriage. friendship like a fall wind comes and leave us Best Wishes, Mrs. ATK

By: nicola baird

nicola baird — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 13:27:38 +0000

Colin’s photography is amazing. I am so glad you collaborated and I am so sorry this has come to an end. Good wishes and strength as you celebrate his work and life. Nicola Baird from Islington Faces.

By: Max Adelman

Max Adelman — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 10:49:17 +0000

I attended one of Colin’s last talks he gave at the Leica City Gallery and it was good to finally meet the man I’d heard so much about.

He appeared so full of energy so his untimely demise came as a real shock.

Suffice to say his incredible body of work will live on.

Thank you Colin for some wonderful images.

By: Tony Racine

Tony Racine — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 16:15:48 +0000

I made contact with Colin after 60 years!

Colin sat next to me when he came to Sir John Cass school when we where both about 8 years old, and we become good friends, but unfortunately we did not keep the friendship up for long after we left school.

Earlier this year I found Colin on Google and contacted him, we met at Kings Cross station and spent a wonderful hour chatting over a cup of tea and planned to meet again next time I was in London.

It was a real shock to get such sad news after meeting my old mate and making plans to meet again. I will treasure the photos and books he gave me at our meeting.

Tony

By: Godfrey Valentine

Godfrey Valentine — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 12:11:23 +0000

It is always particularly sad to report the death of a great artist. RIP to you and your family Colin.

By: David Collier

David Collier — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 07:26:09 +0000

So sorry to hear about Colin’s death. He was always a beacon of kindness and gentleness moving and watching and capturing much that the rest of us miss.
He put on an exhibition in the 14th century cloister of the Charterhouse to accompany our ASCOT strawberry tea here in the medical school- and one of the visitors recognised himself in Colin’s lovely “Child with a balloon”- the only time Colin said that had happened to him.
He was the photographer I’d always wanted to be, but recognition of his great talent came late.
So sad that he’s not here to enjoy the late-flowering success this modest, insightful and thoughtful man so richly deserved.
It’s hard to express love and caring, but Colin captured so many emotions on the local streets he loved, helped us to understand. He was the bright silver star on that child’s Sheriff costume, RIP.

By: Ian Lee

Ian Lee — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 19:25:38 +0000

Reading all the above and all attached, it’s obvious somebody very talented and quite wonderful has died, and that always hurts.

Sincere condolences to all his friends and family.

By: George

George — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 15:21:25 +0000

Last Christmas my daughter Anna gave me a copy of London Life.I was bowled over by the images and could not believe I had not come across Colins work before.For me he is up there with the greats.So sorry to hear of his untimely passing.

By: Sally Hirst

Sally Hirst — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 22:19:56 +0000

I’m so sorry GA. I read every post and through this can only imagine how deeply you will feel this loss.

By: The Broadway Bookshop

The Broadway Bookshop — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 10:29:07 +0000

Such very sad news. We were so privileged to have Colin’s beautiful photographs of Travellers’ Children in London Fields hanging in the shop for some months. They somehow authenticated the atmosphere of the shop and gave a sense of the true East End. We miss the photographs and now we will miss Colin immeasurably for his always friendly appearances here. We were even lucky enough to have Colin photograph us and the shop for our 10th anniversary last year.
It has always been a pleasure to sell his books and we hope to continue to do that for a very long time.