Phil Fisk - The Grove - still lives...

Simple and symbolic portraits of a place…

These still life shots of DIY skate ramps and structures, environment and community, were captured by Phil Fisk at The Grove DIY in South London, the setting for his beautiful AOP 2022 Awards nominated documentary film (see next post).

 

Phil Fisk - The Grove / AOP Awards

During the lockdowns of 2020 (when official skateparks were closed), a group of enterprising skaters found an abandoned car park near the South Circular and established the beginnings of “The Grove”…

Phil Fisk captured the story of the space in this wonderful film, which we are delighted to announce is a finalist in the Documentary Category at this year’s AOP Awards

In an abandoned pub carpark on the A205 in South London, local kids were creating ramps and an assortment of skate park structures, splicing old gas canisters, wooden planks, pallets, bags of cement, rubble, drinks cans, abandoned sofas - anything and everything, to create their own home-grown skatepark - and likewise establish a safe place for themselves, away from the traffic, the pandemic and authority.

Safe… if you discount the odd broken wrist and elbow graze.

Safe… as an outdoor space where anyone with or without a board could hang out.

Initially they were chased away by security guards but soon found support for their endeavours from local residents, councillors and even Dulwich College Estate who own the land.

Phil filmed the steady transformation of the abandoned space, during the days and nights as winter drew in - “trying to capture the atmosphere, tricks (and constructions) as they happened without interfering with the natural flow of the space.”

The film opens with a shot of the sun coming up over a large tree… set against a soundscape of distant traffic, scrapes and clatters, skateboard wheels rolling over concrete and snippets of caught conversation, the resulting film is beautiful, contemplative and ultimately hopeful…

Phil hopes it, “feels something like a compressed day in the life of The Grove in which 6 months feels like 24 hours.”

Although the future is uncertain, it looks as if, for now, The Grove is here to stay…

 

Phil Fisk - Jay Rayner's Rising Stars for 2022 / Observer

"An ex-plumber, a pie maker, a pair of pioneers"…

PHIL FISK photographs JAY RAYNER's pick of culinary rising stars for 2022 for OBSERVER.

This gorgeous series of portraits features the amazingly talented NOKX MAJOZI from the famed pie-room at HOLBORN DINING ROOM, HELEN GRAHAM head chef at London’s BUBALA, PATRICK WITHINGTON head chef at Manchester’s ERST, SERTAC DIRIK at Dalston’s MANGAL 2, ADRIAN LUCK and TONY CRIDLAND non-vegan co-head chefs at the vegan LAND in Birmingham - all captured amid mouth-watering piles of pies as well as vegetarian modern, Middle Eastern and British cuisine.

Phil Fisk - Andi Oliver, Mikita and Garfield / Observer

PHIL FISK shoots a festive spread for OBSERVER with ANDI OLIVER, her daughter MIQUITA and partner GARFIELD.

Gorgeous set created by @victwyman, featuring delicious recipes by ANDI, "fusing classic elements from her Antiguan heritage with modern preoccupations of reducing waste, eating seasonally and offering delicious vegan options"…

…and plenty of the rum soaked cake left for the team!

Phil Fisk - Jon Snow / Observer

PHIL shoots veteran broadcaster JON SNOW for OBSERVER on the eve of his retirement from Channel 4's newsroom.
"At the end of this year, Snow will leave ITN after 45 years – he has been the main presenter of Channel 4 News, which ITN produces, since 1989".

He talks about becoming a father again at 74 and being thought of as ‘a mad, bonkers, lefty oddity’.

Full article here.

Phil Fisk - Brian Cox / Observer

PHIL FISK shoots one of the most revered actors of his generation, the awesome BRIAN COX at his London home for OBSERVER.

With a distinguished career filled with compelling stage and screen performances, Cox stars in the hit HBO drama SUCCESSION, described as "the most thrilling and beautifully obscene TV there is"! He was awarded Best Actor in the 2020 Golden Globe Awards for his portrayal of the bullish Logan.

Of the portraits, taken outside in the midday sun, Phil said, “what looks like anger is in fact a jocular manner and an expressive physicality.”

Intense!

Phil Fisk - SKY / Temple 2

It was a delight to collaborate with the team at SKY Creative and help bring their concepts to life.

Phil photographed the city locations and also worked directly with the team at the Temple set. The location was cold but the energy levels were high and the cast were all totally and utterly brilliant - including the awesome Mark Strong, Daniel Mays, Catherine McCormac and Lily Newmark.

Such a fantastic shoot, we love working with the SKY team ✨

Phil Fisk - Florence Knight / Observer

Captured in her garden by PHIL FISK for OBSERVER is the amazingly talented FLORENCE KNIGHT… one of 3 female writers who Phil had the privilege to photograph and chat to this year. ⁠

Florence is also a chef, columnist and the creator of the wonderful restaurant POLPETTO in London. She now leads the kitchen at @sessionsartsclub, an upcoming restaurant in Clerkenwell which she runs alongside St. John co-founder Jon Spiteri, and world-renowned painter Jonny Gent.⁠

The portrait accompanied an article about seasonal summer recipes and the English weather (for once!) decided to work with us on the idea. ⁠

Chris Floyd - Jessie Cave / Idler

Chris Floyd shoots Harry Potter star turned novelist, artist, comedian and mother… the amazing JESSIE CAVE for IDLER.

Chris was keen to capture scenes, ”from inside his head… A solipsistic, melancholic and ethereal character from a movie length edition of a mid 70s episode of Columbo. Or maybe ‘Murder She Wrote’. “

Jessie, “once again, wanted to wear a subtle outfit and create a pose that screamed “SERIOUS NOVELIST”.”

Here are the resulting images… 💜💚💛💙

Joseph Ford - L'Art du Fil

Delighted to share this stunning publication featuring images from the "knitted camouflage" collaborative project between Joseph Ford and creative knitter, Nina Dodd.

"L'ART DU FIL" is a sumptuous collection of colourful and richly textured textile art and is available in all good bookshops.

Huge thanks to Marie-Madeleine Massé and @editionsalternatives for featuring the work, and to @ninadoddknits for the amazing creative collaborations, as always 🍉 🧶 💚💛❤️