Colin O’Brien At Chats Palace
There is currently a posthumous exhibition of work by former Contributing Photographer Colin O’Brien at Chats Palace, 42-44 Brooksby’s Walk, E9 6DF. Colin had an affinity with young people and this show focusses on his photography of children in the post-war years. Curator Peter Young introduces the exhibition.
‘I first came across Colin and his photography in December 2006 when he exhibited at the Oxo Tower Gallery. The walls were packed with strong black and white images of working class life in London and beyond, portrayed in a straightforward and dignified humanist style.
Colin was on hand to chat and showed me a portfolio of prints which was where I first saw ‘Lady in a summer dress Chatsworth Rd 1980s.’ Benjamin the chemist plus the landmark clock, and Percy Ingle the baker, were all present and correct in the background. I had walked down that street for twenty years. This was by far the best picture I had seen which summed up the atmosphere of unexpected and quiet beauty that pervaded the urban backwater of Homerton and Clapton at that time.
In 2015, Colin became a patron of Chats Palace and the following year a small exhibition of his work was installed in the recently refurbished Blue Room where it hangs to this day. As with all his work, it shows the people of London in all their multifarious ethnic and cultural, working and non-working forms. Inquisitive, outward looking and confident.’ – Peter Young
Colin’s photograph of his pals, taken in 1948 at the age of eight in Hatton Garden.
Photographs copyright © Estate of Colin O’Brien
Take a look at more pictures by Colin O’Brien
Travellers’ Children in London Fields
What a genius Colin was- his unerring eye for mood, soul, drama, wit. We miss him, but how wonderful to see his work here again.
Streetlife, you can run away from home,
Streetlife, for a nickel or a dime,
Streetlife, but you better not get old,
Streetlife, or you’re gonna feel the cold,
Streetlife!
Hardly anyone has captured the poverty and decay, but also the joy and comfort of civilization as impressively as Colin O’Brien. And he started when he was just 8 years old. Unbelievable.
Love & Peace
ACHIM
Wonderful work, absolutely full of spirit. I did a double take on the last shot — it could have been an old photo I have of my husband as a street urchin in Hell’s Kitchen New York City. An enterprising band of multi-ethnic boys, some of them altar boys and some in the choir. Irish,
German, Panamanian, Italian, etc. They played every street game known to man, and stole sports equipment (or made stuff) when necessary. They had intricate score-keeping rituals, and firm
RULES about everything. They were roguish, silly, exuberant, tireless, daring, and glorious. I’ve had the great joy of meeting almost all of them, and they are the brothers I never had.
As someone once said: “The Kid’s are Alright!”.
These photos take me right back to the joy of being a working class kid. Colin captured something special – love of life, pure and simple.
Not many can do that.
Superb photos and brings back so many memories! I love the photo of the cowboy 🤠 x
Ah, the joys of playing outdoors in the days before computer games. The kids in these photos all look to be having a great time. Love the pic of the 3 teenage girls together.