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THE LAVISH large-format photographs in The New Londoners are by acclaimed photographer Chris Steele-Perkins, himself a one-time immigrant. He’s set out to make a record of all the world’s nations that have come to live in the capital and who have turned it into probably the world’s most polyglot city.
Initially, he wanted to take photos of families with at least one member from each of the 195 states on the planet recognised by the UN. In the end, he managed 165 families from around 188 countries but his book is more than just a record of that diversity.
Each family photograph is accompanied by a description of where they have come from, with short excerpts of interviews giving insights into their lives.
Colour is used throughout — a good choice, as it better reflects the cultural vibrancy of the families’ backgrounds — but Steele-Perkins uses no aesthetic artifice in an attempt to create iconic imagery.
He simply places the families in front of the camera in their domestic settings and shoots. This gives the photos an apparent simplicity and openness as if we, the onlookers, have actually been invited into these homes.
Steele-Perkins provides an answer to the questions of what role photography can play in an era of instant imaging, selfies and a constant loop of visual news items and whether we are not becoming immune to images that previously would have caused a sensation, outrage or wonder.
He allows us to return to basics, to take our time to observe and study each of these fascinating families at our leisure, complementing the images with illuminating texts.
This is no top photographer’s ego trip but rather an expression of humility in face of the intrinsic beauty, dignity and diversity of humanity in one great city.
It’s also a salutary reminder in times divided by the renewed rise of racism and anti-foreigner sentiment, how enriched we all are by this melting pot. Along with the photographer we should be celebrating it, not reacting with fear and hatred.
Published by Dewi Lewis, price £35.
