Opening of The Artists of Spitalfields Life

If you ventured out last Wednesday evening, through the narrow streets and dark old squares east of the British Museum, you might have caught a whiff of roast chestnuts in the frosty air and turned a corner to discover an excited crowd, clamouring at the entrance to a tiny shop with Ben Pentreath painted over the fascia. This was the opening night of The Artists of Spitalfields Life.

Spitalfields Life  Contributing Photographer Simon Mooney, resplendent in a double-breasted pin-striped suit, produced a camera from on old leather case and slipped among the throng, discreetly recording the event in this atmospheric set of pictures – to give a flavour of proceedings for all those readers who were unable to make it over to Bloomsbury that evening.

Adam Dant’s Map of Spitalfields Life adorned the chimney breast.

Rob Ryan’s Staffordshire dogs graced the mantlepiece.

Roy Emmins points out his jungle sculpture.

Drawings of Brick Lane traders by Lucinda Rogers and a bottletop picture by Robson Cezar

Sebastian Harding signs one of his Smithfield books on a table laden with Paul Bommer’s tiles.

Rooftops of Spitalfields by Lucinda Rogers.

Painting of Fournier St by Marc Gooderham and Wheildon Tortoise by Laura Knight.

Robson Cezar, King of the Bottletops, sported a top hat.

Paul Bommer greets admirers.

Ben Pentreath takes a snap.

Bloomsbury resident, Jimmy Cuba, a legend in the London markets.

Photographs copyright © Simon Mooney

Click to enlarge this poster designed by Alice Pattullo