As a traveller with an eye for a good image, I find myself naturally drawn to the visual evidence of patterns within each culture that I meet. With possibly millions of images tucked in the cloud after all these years of journeys, I realise that I am invariably following certain threads in my observations.
I love a good doorknob – I am entranced by a French entrance! My eye is caught by the style of font that is found in a city on signs and house numbers – Helsinki has a love of a spidery, hipster font and the apartment numbers are austere illuminated boxes whilst Art Deco lettering is all about. Post boxes in national colours, street signs on enamel or wood. The patina of peeling paint on an Rajasthani palace wall – soft, dusky pink.
Threads that weave a cultural tale.
I love the play of modern graffiti tags against old buildings. In Greece, the graffiti is vibrant and prevalent, in Tallinn it seems to enhance the old buildings that it blemishes. I am entranced by the play of a certain light on water; by the way that road markings are painted or the criss-cross of tramlines or the cobble of pavements. Windows are different in every culture – shutters, balconies, tiled surrounds, lace curtains….
The world comes into focus.
