I take photographs of walls

A few years ago, I bravely decided to take some photographs of reused masonry in the south wall of Winchester Cathedral. There were some wonderful carvings and details, which I had intrigued me since a child. Before I knew it people were stopping and asking what I was up to. I explained and with that there were gasps of “I have never seen that before”, and “I’ve spent 30 years walking past this wall and never noticed…” Once finished I moved on and left the gaggle of Wintonians to their revelation and staring at the wall.

This is what I am fascinated by – how, and especially, why people engage with their surroundings and heritage. And what long-term impact does it have on a person. There is no getting away from the heritage around us. It’s there, either tangible buildings, “footprints”, or the “hidden histories” we refer to, such as the Lollards who were burned alive in Kingston upon Thames marketplace just over 500 years ago (enjoy your coffee there). In fact, I would say it is more of an obsession. It’s driven my career and personal work, for which I have a lot more I want to produce.

Now I wish I had stayed to listen to the conversations about the south wall of Winchester Cathedral. I was very self-conscious about taking photographs of the wall. Embarrassed in fact. I did respond to my embarrassment and started a photoblog. “I take Photographs of Walls”. That gave me license to keep going, taking photographs and embrace the Geek. I took the photos for a reason – to blog.

As for the walls in Winchester, haven posted this on social media, a colleague suggested they could be practice works from apprentice masons, or even as a carved stone master to emboss encaustic tile patterns into clay. I haven’t asked anyone at Winchester Cathedral, so perhaps this is what I should do.

There are only a few walls on the site at the moment – I have many more in my archives to upload.

Visit the Photoblog here I take photographs of walls – Bricks, flints, wood, walls.