More of Phil’s beautifully emotive images from his ‘Garden Portraits’ series, captured using carefully controlled natural light in his garden studio featuring neighbours during lockdown.
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).
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…
"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 shoots beautiful friends, Succession screenwriter LUCY PREBBLE and singer REBECCA TAYLOR (aka SELF ESTEEM), for GUARDIAN.
Champagne, bubbles and salt and vinegar crisps... 🥂✨
PHIL FISK captures the multi-talented MONICA GALETTI for OBSERVER.
Born in Samoa, brought up in New Zealand, Monica is chef proprietor of the beautiful Mere Restaurant in London, as well as being a judge on Masterchef and author of a new book “At Home: My Favourite Recipes for Family & Friends”.
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!
We are super proud to announce that PHIL FISK's portrait of PAUL WELLER, photographed for OBSERVER earlier this year, has been selected as one of the 100 images to be displayed for the 2021 BJP "Portrait of Britain".
In Phil's words, “I went to photograph Paul Weller at his studio for the Observer New Review. I was a little nervous before I arrived because I thought that having a photographer in his music space might annoy him. I was so wrong. The door opened, I got the loveliest welcome and my first proper handshake since the first lockdown. Paul was a childhood hero of mine, and has now become a beacon of hope for me in getting older with style and a never-waning sense of adventure.”
You can see all the amazing images (including Phil's portrait of Paul Weller) here.
"Portrait of Britain Vol.4", published by Hoxton Mini Press, containing 200 shortlisted images of 2021 will be released soon.
Phil films two intrepid little swimmers on an unusually quiet beach at Broadstairs...
Perhaps, next time they could check Surfers against Sewage interactive map before swimming..
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.
A lady with a love of lobster... 🦞
PHIL FISK shoots the delightful EDITH BOWMAN for OBSERVER with one of her favourite dishes...
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!
A pensive portrait of one of the wonderful writers PHIL FISK has photographed this year...
LIONEL SHRIVER photographed for OBSERVER at JERWOOD GALLERY in London.
Author of the the bestselling "We Need To Talk About Kevin", Lionel's latest book, "Should We Stay or Should We Go", is an exploration of what to do as end of life approaches...
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 ✨
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.
Perilously perched lemons, perfectly poised yolks, shelf-sprouting mushrooms and the art of finely balanced fruit and veg with CHARLIE BIGHAM, captured by PHIL FISK for the SUNDAY TIMES 🍋🥚🍄🍅🍆🌽🌶🥛🐟🌿
IAN WRIGHT and MUSA OKWONGA photographed by PHIL FISK for OBSERVER.
"The football star, with help from the author, has turned his experiences of triumph over adversity into a novel for pre-teens", entitled STRIKING OUT, with the aim of "inspiring young people through fiction".
AIMEE LOU WOOD, Bafta-winning star of the Netflix hit show SEX EDUCATION, photographed by Phil Fisk for OBSERVER.
Such mesmerising portraits… 😍 "It’s easy to see why fans relate to Wood: never mind the dazzling prettiness, she’s sparky, warm and expressive". Full article here.
Phil Fisk shoots 27 year old singer/songwriter, the awesome Ray BLK for OBSERVER. Born Rita Ekwere in Nigeria in 1994, she moved to London aged four and was raised in Catford, south-east London. Her forthcoming debut album ACCESS DENIED, features collaborations with some of UK rap’s leading names, from Stefflon Don to Kojey Radical to Giggs.
Phil Fisk shoots Royal Ballet choreographer Wayne McGregor for Observer.
“Famed for his cerebral experimentation and edgy imagination… he had no access to elite ballet schools growing up. But he did have John Travolta and disco to spark a lifelong obsession.”
He “has spoken of dance in iconoclastic ways: as an opportunity to “misbehave beautifully”…
What a wonderful concept!!
Such beautiful shots too :)
