Last Days Out With Colin O’Brien
Today, I look back at some of my favourite pictures by Contributing Photographer Colin O’Brien from 2013 – 2016. We clocked up over fifty assignments for Spitalfields Life working in partnership until his death in August this year, giving me cause to look back over all the adventures that we had together. Tonight at 6:30pm, I shall be reminiscing about my experiences working with Colin as part of his retrospective exhibition THIS ENGLAND at Unit G Gallery, 12a Collent St, E9 6SG.
Terry Smith, Envelope Cutter at Baddeley Brothers, July 2013
Anna Carter, Carters Steam Fair, August 2013
Carters Steam Fair, Victoria Park, August 2013
Savvas Kyriacou, Muscleworks Gym Bethnal Green, September 2013
Tony Stevens, Daneford Trust, Bethnal Green, September 2013
Gerry Cottle, Gerry Cottle’s Circus, September 2013
John Dolan & George the Dog, Shoreditch, October 2013
Steven Armstrong, Postman in Whitechapel, December 2013
Elam Forrester says goodbye to her home in Samuel House, Haggerston, prior to demolition, February 2014
Peter Sargent, Butcher in Bethnal Green, February 2014
Bob Rogers, Speakers Corner, February 2014
David Dobson, Landlord of the Blind Beggar, Whitechapel, March 2014
Ash Grove Bus Depot, Hackney, April 2014
Whitechapel Mission, May 2014
Whitechapel Mission, May 2014
Bob Mazzer, Howard Griffin Gallery, Shoreditch, June 2014
Jay the Tailor, Druid of Wormwood Scrubs, Primrose Hill, Midsummer 2014
Brogan Ferron, Weavers Fields Adventure Playground, Bethnal Green, September, 2014
Lottie Ferron, Weavers Fields Adventure Playground, Bethnal Green, September 2014
Chris Georgiou, Tailor, Kings Cross, September 2014
Jasmine Stone & her daughter Safia, Stratford, October 2014
Boar’s Head Parade, City of London, December 2014
Nativity Procession, Spitalfields, December 2014
Last day of The Gun, Spitalfields, February 2015
Walthamstow Marshes, August 2015
Flossie Reed & Vi Charlton, Hop-picking at Lamberhurst, Kent, September 2015
Ahmed Nassr, Olive Seller, Queen’s Market, Upton Park, October 2015
Lego Exhibition, Docklands, December 2015
London Bridge, January 2016
Upton Park, June 2016
George Parrin, Ice Cream Seller, Whitechapel, August 2016
Leon Powell, Denmark St, August 2016
I hope as many readers as can do so will come along to St James Church, Clerkenwell, on Thursday 17th November. The bells will ring from 5:30pm and we will commence at 6:00pm. We will be showing photographs and there will be reminiscences, readings, music and films, and a big party in the crypt to celebrate our friend from Clerkenwell, COLIN O’BRIEN. Make it a date in your diary.
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He had an obvious rapport with the sitters of his portraits, and a keen eye for the telling detail in his street photography. He was a very talented photographer. My condolences for your loss.
I find myself mourning a man I haven’t met, but wish that I had done so.
The picture of the steam fair at Victoria Park brought back memories, I worked at the very first fair after the war on the knocking down tin with a duster stall, I was there for a week and the man never paid me.
So sad to hear that this genius has passed away …
Mr Colin O’Brien (1940-2016) — R.I.P.
Love & Peace
ACHIM
Colin O’Brien – a great photographer & wonderful human being.
Some great images here, so thank you to the late Colin and to you GA for introducing him to us. I wonder if that man is still there on Hyde Park Corner and if his placard still has the same message, if so he is dead right!!