Memories and Reflections
Introspective: This is one of the few photos of myself I’ve genuinely come to love, partly because I had no idea it was being taken. There’s something honest about a photo you didn’t pose for. I only learned it existed about a decade ago, through a chance encounter with my old secondary school teacher. He’d kept it all those years, and handed it to me so many years later. It was a surprise, too, to see other familiar faces in it that I’d almost forgotten. Thank you, sir!
Nighthawks When I first saw the Nighthawks painting a few days ago, I was taken aback by how Edward Hoppe managed to capture a sense of silence. This painting raises so many questions. What are these people doing so late into the night, do they know each other (e.g couples/friends or even strangers) etc. The painting captures a feeling of loneliness and isolation that matches Hopper’s description of it as “literally an illustration of loneliness.” Edward Hoppe, American, 1882–1967
Schrodinger’s cat. Came across this cat during my lunchtime walk resting on the wall daydreaming. Trying to elicit a response to capture an image was met with indifference. The cat ignored me and closed its eyes. It was only when I was walking away it took an interest to look back with a disapproving look!
That’s me. It’s a crop from a larger family portrait taken in Bangladesh, on a hot summer’s day at a local bazaar. Beyond that, my memory of the day has faded — much like the photograph itself. I’d almost forgotten it existed until a family friend in Spain sent it over, and seeing it again stopped me in my tracks. Time and the tropical humidity had nearly destroyed the print, and it struck me how close this little piece of my childhood came to being lost forever. I’m so grateful to my friend for sending it.
This is my first attempt at restoring a photograph. The image on the left shows how badly it had faded.
Final curtain call. After tending to the Deshi Naga Morich (chillies) for 10 months. With the onset of autumn, it’s time to say goodbye to this splendid specimen. This type of Naga is indigenous to Southeast Asia, and it has gained popularity amongst the younger Bdeshi gardeners in London! Also see gardeners’ world for different varieties of chillies grown in the UK.
Experiment. By the time I went out today after work, it was already dark.
Asset stripping. Stores are closing all over the country due to online shopping accelerated by Covid-19 lockdown. Thurrock, Essex, Saturday 2nd January 2021.