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In the 1970s and 80s, Russell Newell photographed life on Peckham's estates in South East London, documenting the many characters and constituents who surrounded him while growing up in the area.
Taken between the ages of 12 and 20, Newell’s negatives have been unseen for the past 40 years, while he pursued a career working with new media in the creative industries.
Now Newell is working with Autograph to share the work publicly for the first time in this online gallery. In addition to the recollections provided by Newell below, you can read a new interview with the artist.
The significance of these photographs is clear. As Autograph’s Director, Mark Sealy, reflects: “Newell’s work from this era isn’t just an observation of his surroundings, it’s a radical act of understanding his identity and the character of his community.”
"I was born in Peckham in 1965. I have been a book lover since childhood, so when I got my camera I went to the library and found books on the subject of photography. In my early to mid-teens I spent a lot of time reading books and studying the life and work of great photographers such as W. Eugene Smith, Robert Frank and Ernest Cole. My personal practice is almost entirely self-taught."
"After living in New Romney, Kent for a few years, my family returned to London to live permanently in Peckham when I was 11. It was the first time in my life I had friends from a variety of backgrounds. The area was also an exciting place to explore."
"I tended to move through Peckham's different constituencies with my camera - I was sociable and always keen to make new connections. Being the local photographer was my identity really - it's how everybody knew me."
"On 11th April 1981, I inadvertently cycled into the middle of the Brixton Riots with my brother on our way home one Saturday afternoon. That was the first time in my life that I witnessed police brutality and violent struggle. I also got caught up in the Peckham riots that same summer and was arrested and beaten quite badly by cops."
"I like to carefully compose a frame with the expectation that something unexpected will occur. Whether that’s the presence of a person, a change in the light, the weather or some other event. I like to immerse myself in the serendipity of the moment, and its endless possibilities. Sometimes this means waiting for long stretches to get the perfect image."
"This is one of the earliest images I made and still one of my favourites."
"I was always fascinated by windows lit up at night - the arrangement of the estate meant that many dwellings faced each other, overlooked by walkways and I took comfort in the glow, and the knowledge of the lives being lived within."
Russell was born in Peckham in 1965. He is an avid reader and largely a self-taught artist. He began his career in his early-teens with photography, then moved into film and television. He has been managing technical and digital creative projects for over 30 years. During this time he has continued to realise various personal creative projects using photography, writing, film, painting, perfumery and craft-making. He is currently CEO and founder of Isofi, a music and mental health tech startup.
Newell discusses his experience of growing up on Peckham’s estates in the 70s and 80s, and photographing the district's many characters and constituents.
ReadAll images on page © and courtesy Russell Newell.
Autograph is a place to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
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