Roadside Britain: On The Road

A Warm Welcome to 2012:

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- Imagery is currently on display at Andy's Kitchen, Hereford -

Wishing you a warm welcome to 2012. It's been a great year for the roadside Britain project, festivals, exhibitions and numerous road-trips have arisen since the success of Arts Council funding in 2009/10. Adventures to Ireland, Scotland and Wales have proved a success, while re-visiting Paul Grahams steps as I ventured along the A1 - The Great North Road to offer a homage to his work. As I look towards 2012, i'm excited to be working on my second book, one which will encapsulate the whole body, including the initial project 'London to Lands End' captured in 2008, embracing the quintessential trade. I've been slightly hesitant about putting new imagery on this blog since the beginning of the year, although here are a few images which i'd like to share:

Hereford today...

2011-10-26T13:02:00.000-07:00

With little over a month in storage, it's great to have a selection of my Roadside Britain exhibition back on wall space. Arriving in the beautiful Hereford late this afternoon to blue skies and fresh air, it's a delight to be part of this years Hereford Photography Festival Fringe. After speaking with the festivals coordinator, Cai Broom, it looks set to be a great opening this Friday and having a sneak preview at some of the main exhibitors, it looks set for a fantastic festival. Here are some rather shaky images from todays hanging at Andy's Kitchen.

Hereford Photography Festival 2011

2011-10-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted to update my blog with news that a selection of my work will feature during the Hereford Photography Festival Fringe. Showing a small collection of work at Andy's Kitchen in the heart of the city. Opening this Friday, if your in the area do pop along and enjoy work from host of national and international photographers:

Talks, Tours and London Tea

2011-07-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Since opening my exhibition at Ipswich Arts School last month, it's been a busy time with talks, tours and workshops. Hosting my premier workshop last week with Northgate High School, I'm scheduled for more during the summer. While I've also allowed time to get out into the city and sock up some of the caffs which sit adjacent to the inner city trunk roads, it's far to say I've meet a hardier folk, yet many have left me touched with their kindness and willingness to help. Notably 'The Shepherdess' just off the A1 between Old Street and Angle, while the 'Hope For Workers Cafe' is the epitome of bustling London Caffs serving a steady flow of cabbies, workers and passers by. Another highlight was Syd's on the A10. Established in 1919, nearly a decade ago, the business has seen highs and lows, carriage fires and countless newspaper clippings. Pre war, the owners ran several similar vans across the city, and now as we push further into the 21st century the shutters remain open, a tea costs 50p and cabbies come and go in their masses. Contrary to the country, I noticed many homeless passing by, as they did, Cheryl, whom works at Syd's, handed out fresh tea for those brave enough to ask. It's a contrast shooting in the city, my cars a constant hindrance, congestion zones are expensive and parking equals turning my hazards lights on keeping a watchful beadie eye for the traffic wardens. Yet i feel it's an integral part of the project, I'll endeavour to continue shooting the city over the next year or so. Hopefully free of fines.....

New Exhibitions Opens today!

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Come along and celebrate my photography reportage of traditional roadside services throughout the South of England - a homage to the quintessential and transient trade! The exhibitions opens today, although the official launch together with First Exposure a Schools exhibition, which I've helped to curate, opens on the 2nd of July.

Ipswich Arts School - Upper High Street

25th September - 2nd October 2011

10am - 5pm Tuesday to Sunday

- directions -

Roadside Britain exhibition heads to Ipswich:

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Roadside Britain is an exploration of livelihood at the edge of society. Consciously boycotting the mainstream to celebrate the uncelebrated, eschewing modernization in order to embrace a timeless yet challenged trade. Floating between the observational and the voyeuristic, documenting the mundane, the eccentric and a unique much loved Britishness, the work challenges the icons of the highway and brings home a real taste of Roadside Britain.

Ipswich Art School - High Street - Ipswich

25th June - 18th September 2011

Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

Directions

Into the (Wild) West:

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It’s been almost a year since I have taken to the road, camera in hand, car laden to the brims to capture imagery for this ongoing project. I can’t quite believe it’s been so long. Yet, time hasn’t wasted away in vain, as my commercial clientele steadily grows, so has the coverage for this project. You only have to scroll down my blog to get a taste of what’s been happening since last May. So, last month, I packed my bags, charged my batteries and cast a careful eye over my roadmap to conclude I’d head west.

During late April, making use of a fine Easters break, saw two sun-drenched weeks back on the road, opening my eyes to spectacular scenery and heart warningly welcoming people. From the mean streets of East London I drove into the heartland and bosom of Wales, where the pasturelands are green, faces friendly and time seems somewhat slower than usual. I have to confess, it took a few days to get in the swing, but once warmed up I was eager the road ahead. When not shooting, company was found in a recent gift from a good friend, a book, appropriately titled On Roads beautifully written by Joe Moran. The book delves into the rise of the UK motorway system, it stretches far from the boundaries of our webbed road network and bounces right back, making Moren’s book fascinating for all. There’s plenty of material I jotted down, much that I’d love to quote, from AA Gill to Morrissey, references of London gangsters and poetry by Rudyard Kipling but its this quote that caught my attention:

“The Service Station never sleeps, but sometimes its eyelids droop a little. It is then that you see people sitting alone at the tables: lone bikers resting their helmets on tabletops or men in hangdog suits with vacant stares – the sort of sad motorway café people whom the philosopher Alain De Bottom has compared to the lone figures in Edward Hopper Painting” On Roads by Joe Moran – Profile Books 2009 - pg 160

Revolutionary Roads - A feature from the Guardian

A huge thank you to all that helped me along my way on Aprils trip, for the tea, offers of accommodation and food. One particular mention goes to Mark Wilsmore from Ace Cafe.

Sony World Photography Awards

2011-05-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

Once again with many thanks to Harry Hardie and Rachel Stanley (Blurb UK) for inviting me to present my work in the photographers lounge at this years World Photography Awards. A wonderful evening with friends and watching some of the latest carousel projects on display.

Waterstones Book Signing - 14th March 7:30 - 8:30

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After a wonderful response from the kind staff at Waterstones, Bury St Edmonds, they have arranged for a book signing to run in-conjunction with their regular book evening. Please come along for an evening with light nibbles and drinks and have a look at my debut photography book. See the details below for how you can book onto this event:

Waterstones: 14th March 2011

For More Info:

Waterstones - Arc Shopping Centre

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 3FB

Format International Photography Festival:

2011-03-04T09:33:00.001-08:00

It gives me great pleasure to attend the 2011 Format International Photography Festival after an invitation from BLURB to talk about and sign my debut book On The Road London to Lands End. In attendance during the weekend will be legends of street photography Brian Griffin and Joel Meyerowitz.

Carousel Slide Slam at Host Gallery

2011-01-20T10:25:00.000-08:00

This coming Monday, 24th January, I'm proud to announce Host Galler y will present my Roadside Britain project during it's monthly Carousel Slide Slam. With thanks to Harry Hardie from foto8, who invited me to produce and introduce a presentation of my latest work for the prestigious London galleries Carousel night. Please pop in and enjoy an evening of photo-projects, slide shows and other digital art forms.

HOST Gallery

1-5 Honduras Street

London EC1Y 0TH

United Kingdom

Tel: 020 7253 2770

Monday 24th Jan - 7:30 until 9:30

Roadside Britain: On The Road by Sam Mellish Photography

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Roadside Britain: On The Road is Sam Mellish’s latest photography project. Supported by the Arts Council of England and predominately carried out throughout East Anglia, the work portrays the livelihoods imbued on the edge of society. Floating between the observational and the voyeuristic, documenting the mundane, the eccentric and a unique, much loved Britishness, the work challenges the icons of the highway and brings home a real taste of Roadside Britain.

Over the past two years Sam has undertaken road-trips throughout East Anglia, and notably journeyed from city to coast, traveling from, London to Lands End to document traditional roadside services. In America these icons of the highway are dazzled in bright neon, where big is best and road trips are the stuff of myth and legend, while back home, journeys are part of our daily routine and those stops along the way often go often go un-noticed. With a love for tea and the open road, Sam was lead to create a photo-observation, which ultimately embraces a challenged trade. Taking his influence from Robert Frank, Paul Graham and Jack Kerouac as well as countless ‘On The Road’ styled songs, his work continues to grow.

Many thanks to The University of Westminster for there ongoing support, Babylon Gallery & ADEC, foto8, Ipswich Borough Council, and the Arts Council of England.

A gallery of Roadside Britain: On The Road imagery by Sam Mellish

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Winter On The Road by Sam Mellish Photography

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Breaking into Spring - Roadside Britain: On The Road by Sam Mellish

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A few more images By Sam Mellish Photography for Roadside Britain: On The Road

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New Route Map designed - London to Lands End

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It feels like an age since I last wrote any news on my Roadside Britain blog. The days were longer and the climate warmer it seems. Although much has been happening behind the scenes, including the construction of this route map of the locations on the A30 and A303, many of which feature in my debut book On The Road London to Lands End.

So whats new? With no new imagery to show I'm afraid, I'll tell you a little about my book, which is currently selling at a number of shops across the East including Waterstones, foto8, the London Transport Museum as well as Amazon.co.uk - which is great news. While i'm also in conversation to hold a second exhibition of my work captured from East Anglia at Ipswich in 2011 so keep your eyes peeled for this. While its worth noting I was short listed to the second day of judging in the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2010, although the reality is that I can't officially claim this one, I did drop in the ranking from 6000+ competitors down to the last 400 or so whom entered. This news was obviously rather touching and I can't wait to pop into the National Portrait Gallery to see those who ultimately caught the eye of the judges.

So do watch this space as i'm hoping to get back out on the road very soon to being capturing new material for my Roadside Britain project.

My Debut Book now on sale at Waterstones - Ipswich

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On The Road: London to Lands End is Sam Mellish debut photography book. The work is an exploration of livelihoods imbued on the edge of society, a rich and raw glance where moments of solitude and swiftness pass each day. Celebrating the uncelebrated, boycotting the mainstream, the work embraces a timeless yet challenged trade. Floating between the observational and the voyeuristic, documenting the mundane, the eccentric and a unique and much loved Britishness, the work challenges the icons of the highway and brings home a real taste of Roadside Britain.

The project originated during the summer of 2008, documenting the services along the once ‘Great South West Road’ the A30, a route steeped in history stretching from South West London to Lands End peninsula, the work also contains observations from the A303.

On The Road: London To Lands End

Published on 19th June 2010

ISBN: 978-0-9566928-0-1

- www.dieselbooks.co.uk -

See my Roadside Britain gallery on foto8

2010-08-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

Another collaboration with Serious Sam Barrett, this time with a slideshow gallery on foto8, the prestigious magazine devoted to photojournalism. Its worth checking out, especially as it's fair to say the work has coursed a little controversy.....once again a big thanks to Sam and also a big thank-you to all the team at foto8.

On-Line Gallery:

2010-08-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

As the final day of the Roadside Britain exhibition passed, just shy of 2,800 people passed the galleries doors, with additional audiences at Latitude Festival, this very blog, Cambridge Style Magazine, East Anglian Daily Times and mentions on Cambridge radio stations, the coverage certainly exhausted my expectations. While the Babylon Gallery and ADEC move on to their forthcoming exhibitions, all worth keeping an eye out for, you can view my on-line gallery via this Roadside Britain link, while i wanted to pass on my regards to all whom viewed my work on any of the above sources, and to all who took part.

Latitude Program:

2010-07-29T13:29:00.001-07:00

Children's Art Day in Ely:

2010-07-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

Organised by ADEC and Babylon Gallery the annual Children's Art Day say a group of young children take part in a photography field day in Ely. Hosted by myself and Zoe Davidson from ADEC, the day was a great success passing on knowledge and advise to 7 budding young photographers.

Latitude festival:

2010-07-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

3 big screens and a budding audience on Saturday night when my work featured at Latitude festival in Suffolk. Collaborating with Serious Sam Barrett and following Simon Mayo's live stage interview, the 10 minute slideshow was well received. Images coming soon...

Roadside Britain At Latitude Festival!

2010-07-01T04:17:00.001-07:00

With a huge thank-you to Festival Republic, I’m please to announce that a collaboration presentation has been confirmed with Serious Sam Barrett and Roadside Britain to be featured at Latitude Festival this coming month. If you their details are below:

SATURDAY 17TH JULY

5.30 - 6.30

BAFTA present Paul Greengrass in conversation with Mark Kermode

6.35 - 6.50

SAM MELLISH PHOTOGRAPHY: A ROADSIDE VIEW + AMNESTY SHORT

6.50 - 7.20

SoulBoy PRESENTATION

Live and kicking at Babylon Gallery - Ely

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Exhibition Now Open:

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The doors to Babylon Gallery are now open - come along Tuesday - Sunday 12-noon until 4pm. The exhibition is open until 1st of August. At the gallery are over 90 pieces of works from East Anglia and images from the initial body of work - London to Lands' End. E-mail me to buy a signed copy - info@sammellishphotography.co.uk £35 inc Postage.

There's also the opportunity to buy my limited edition book title On The Road: London to Lands End - with only 100 printed come along a pick up a copy.

Babylon Gallery Link:

Landlanders:

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A slick blog worth checking out, with up-to-date listings of events and 'goings-on' throughout East Anglia - take a peep at Flatlanders, while here for my recent newsletter.

Workshop July 18th 2010 - Babylon Gallerys

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Come along to a photography workshop organised by the Babylon Gallerys and Sam Mellish. If your aged between 11-18, come along for an afternoon of fun and photography, please bring your own camera. More details see this flyer.

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Contacts from the A17

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With thanks to both the University of Westminster and University College Suffolk with their assistance with scanning recent material. I've always enjoyed looking at contact sheets, one photo can often tell many stories, while a whole roll laid out before your eyes tell so much more. Robert Frank was keen on contact sheets, scribbling down notes over the prints always looked great. Storylines, published in 2004, was a particular favourite of Franks work. After watching 'Exile On Main Street', with their collaboration with Frank, I thought it a good idea to take some of my negatives and create some of my own rugged styled contacts ready for the exhibition. The image above is certainly my favourite. While this wintry picture below captured my eye as a steel joiner takes a break between shifts at Lucky Charms on the A140 near Broome.

Download a flyer

Download A flyer:

2010-05-30T04:05:00.000-07:00

For those of you how have been following this blog, you'll know the clock has been ticking away until show time, and with little under three weeks until the doors at Babylon Gallery open, my Roadside Britain: On The Road exhibition will soon be open to all. The final preparations are being sealed and i'm rather excited about hanging the images and filling the walls of the waterside gallery in Ely Why not download one of these flyer's and pass it on to friends and family and plan a day out and enjoy the quintessential scenery of Ely. If your coming from afar - check out my route map and see if there's a roadside service to stop of for a bite to eat en-route.

Download this flyer and come along to Babylon Gallery - Ely - 19th June until 1st August

Tuesday - Sunday 12noon - 4pm - Free for all (Donations welcomed)

Flyer Download

Thumbs up for Ok Diner.

2010-05-22T04:11:00.000-07:00

Closing the shutter for the final time on my Roadside Britain project, while no-doubt the remaining weeks I'll be glued to my computer and planning the exhibition at Babylon Gallery next month. As a whirlwind 3 day trip saw new services previously missed on both the A14 and the A1. While the A17 seems to be peppered with burger vans and cafes all playing host to the bus loads of tourists traversing it's rural route. While back to Jacks on the A10 where a welcomed crew of friends waited for literally the last planned photo. Although I never like to say last run.....

Farm Cafe on the A17:

2010-05-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

Back from a further three day spell, passing the twilight hours in anticipation as the media machine ploughed it’s way through televised elections ballads, drinking strong tea while chatting to the occasional night workers whom passed the door at Stibbingtons ‘24hr’ Dinner. While the following days were spent driving along the rural A17, where painted billboards, boarded up cafes and land dedicated to agriculture were yet more reminders of the 1920's Farm Security Administration photographs - a collection which has been of great influence since the initial project began. While the Farm Cafe in Holbeach is a true reminder that a little ingenuity, a gamble on intuition and time make perfect chemistry for a business to stand the length of time.

New Images recently Developed

2010-05-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

Using a combination of contemporary digital and traditional medium format film, I've recently scanned a fresh bunch of film captured only last week. The satisfaction of seeing images once developed is always such a rewarding part of photography and one which i hope never fades.

An image captured during a visit to The Green Belly Cafe in Cambridgeshire.

6 weeks till show time....

2010-05-03T15:54:00.000-07:00

...and I'm slowly getting prepared to begin printing for the project exhibition at Ely's Babylon Gallery which opens it's doors on the 19th June, while allowing time for the remaining spring images to be captured. Having been away on commissions for the past 6 or so weeks, I was delighted to return to the UK with five days of glorious sunshine and some relatively hot weather and venture out, back on the road throughout Norfolk and Cambridgeshire making observations along the way. While the bank holiday was spent capturing a blustery Blue Sky Cafe in Cromer, North Norfolk.

A1 - The Great North Road:

2010-02-27T14:09:00.000-08:00

In the early 1980's Paul Graham embarked on a photo-project which quickly became topic of conversation among many photojournalists. A1 - The Great North Road was the title of his book: a visual insight to a 80's Britain. Capturing life within the service industry, his images sum up an era. Spanning from the bankers and conservative colours at the heart of London, to the bleak smoke choked skies further North.

While the pre-text much is discussed "the open road is no-mans land - imbued on the edge of society with a melancholy stoicism'. No-doubt Jack Kerouac would have quoted this combination of words and images as poetry while, Robert Frank, one of the pioneering On The Road photographers welcomes the road as a new beginning? For Graham, while his work remains more allusive compared to other British photographers of his generation, his images unquestionably cusp the mood of the era.

The top left image was taken as part of the initial 'On The Road' featuring Lizzy - a waitress at Jack's Of Bagshot, while the image was captured at Ron's Snax along the very Great North Road which saw Graham traversing looking for those decisive moments during the early 80s.

Lay-by Wars

2010-02-24T13:25:00.000-08:00

With many traders explaining that business is down about 35% on the previous year; customers counting their loose change while ordering less is common among the roadside burger Vans. When in more flourishing times, trade would trickle on until late in the afternoon, for the many roadside proprietors plenty are shutting up shortly after 2. While passing from Suffolk to Norfolk on a bumper to bumper A140, the industries transient flow was evident: new businesses set up where old establishments once ruled, one of the popular 'Poppins' vans ceasing to trade, while a gleaming clean burger van ascending to a lay-by where a forlorn yet loyal business has traded for best part of a decade - quite a meddle of change in a seemingly short period on one rather busy trunk road.

Today......

2010-02-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

On The Road traversing east along the A120 where the Dunmow Rest Area caters for numerous commuters looking for time away from the drives seat - Essex

Picasso quoted 'Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life' and as with a sprinkling of fresh snow, in a similar fashion, wintry mornings laden with snow often brings with it an air of chance, a new beginning and a new dawn...

..as a dusting of snow contrasts with the rich blue sky's, while a trainee paramedic and her driving instructor head for a bite to eat at Shane Walkers Pit Stop Cafe - also known as the 'Shabbily Cafe' - This unique converted fraight container, with a history of varied custom, houses a steadfast kitchen ready to feed the host of passers by. North Bound A12 - Kelvedon - Essex.

Food For Thought

2010-02-11T11:39:00.000-08:00

Roadside Britain: On The Road is a glimpse at the service industry imbued within East Anglia. Through the means of documentary photography, the project is a fly on the wall account, embracing the traditional and quintessential industry, which in accordance to many, has passed it's glory days, yet remains a choice stop for a host of truckers, commuters and day-trippers, while binding a rich mix of social diversities. Superficially, a rough trade with worn edges, yet behind the often-forlorn exterior is a welcoming and embracing smile, fundamentally one, which is open to all. I've spent the previous six months visiting many of these trades scattered through-out East Anglia, clocked countless miles and passed seemingly unending mainstream petrol stations, yet it's the individualism and eccentricities of these services, which sparks the imagination. As I chat to the workers, the truckers, the businessman and women and the passers by who use these services on more than a transient basis, many recall an interesting yarn, be it of other establishments on the road, or venting the affairs currently hitting the headlines. I leave, camera in hand, observations scribbled in my ring bound notebook, with tales from the patrons who take their refugue in the lay-bys and cafes along our roads.

Snow And Mist Adds Atmosphere To Location:

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Many Thanks to all those who have participated in the numerous photoshots through-out this project. Notable thanks goes to Phill at his spotless Pit Stop snack bar at Benhall, Staff at D's Diner in Hatfeild Pevril, Vinnies on the A12, Janes, (and her Husband), Snack Bar along the A47, Staff at the Regent in Cromer, Phil and his regulars at Blackwells Bus Cafe along the A12 and not to forget Di's Red Bus Cafe on the A1124. While special thank you to anyone who i missed out this time round. I'll be back out on the road at the end of the week, and well into February to carry on shooting our ever ready services on the road.

Staff at the Red Lodge 24hr Cafe

2010-01-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

During the 1960s and 1970s a wave of photorealism spurred artists, notably in the United States, to create paintings replicating photographs of the every day. Artists such as Richard Estes and Ralph Goings formulated iconic works of art in this newly established fashion. With the Pop Art movement in full swing, Goings detailed paintings of roadside diners and sticky American Chilli Sauce bottles were a semblance and symbolic to the modern trends and a timeless era.

Certainly when producing the original, On The Road, body of work captured along the A30 and A3030 in the South West of England, many dining establishments whispered a timeless, often American appeal. Images of an ostensible yesteryear were widening my photographic portfolio. When technology leaps into tomorrow with unending haste, where the commercial motorway dining experience is non-descript and seemingly stylised up and down the country to be one, capturing original photographs which were reminiscent of yesterday was humbling. Sometimes nostalgia is a vision of the now. The picture above shows two waitresses from the 24 hour cafe in Red Lodge - a traditional truckers rest where music memorabilia, flyers and record sleeves decorates a previously modern decor.

George Orwell Once Wrote....

2009-12-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

...'Tea is the poor mans opium' - written in his industrial memoirs 'The Road to Wigan Pier'. Yet there seems to be a lot of weight hanging from a beverage which has seemingly shaped a nation - steadfast at the vanguard of British society. And like the Chinese, many take great pride in the cup they serve. While there maybe a hint of relevance in this Orwellian sentence, as one cup of finely brewed tea offers much refuge in many situations, which unquestionably leads to the want for more. For my part, it's certainly number one for quenching a thirst, especially when you're on the road all day, there's nothing quite like sipping a piping hot brew when caught in the elements.

While December has seen a host of seasonal treats, cold spells and blue skies rich in tones and mild in climate, together with a surprisingly vast pre-Christmas snowfall to keep all happy for another year or so. It's certainly satisfies the mind to witness the vistas around East Anglia in such an alpine semblance. So what's been happening On The Road this month? Firstly, lets talk food. If your travelling down that old country road, notably the A140 - make a point at stopping at 'The Lucky Charm' burger van, at the Roy Humpheys site, for mouth watering locally made Lincolnshire or pork sausage - full of flavour and much love. While Donna's Cafe just north of Stratford St Mary on the A12 offers and blinder cuppa. I also stumbled across two classic re-furbished buses now off the road and used as lay-by cafes - Blackwells Bus Cafe on the A12 as well as Di's big Red Bus Cafe on the A1124 near the quintessential Earls Colne.

Whats new On The Road....

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As winter locks it's bone chilling grip over East Anglia, as darkness seemingly outweighs daylight, time on the road can be dark and dreary. As for those manning the front line of the roadside services industry, time elopes with an essence of solitude. Set upon a backdrop of transient trade, filtering past in all its haste, often it's the returning faces form the foundations of the trade and with it retain a subtle smile from those whom are only to happy to serve.

Longer nights simply mean more time on the road surrounded by blackness and the passing hazy headlights. While a number of services will shut up mid-afternoon, others remain open 24hours, where the staff keep an ever watchful eye open for their next customer, adding another burger on the grill. Making preparations for three days on the road, dropping in on the roadside cafes of East Anglia I wander what will greet me in this festive season? The past couple months I've seen a number of services within Suffolk and Norfolk, meeting people with tales of past and present. What is Christmas like on the road?

About the Project:

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Roadside Britain: On The Road is a photo-reportage which explores the social communities and the environmental elements imbued within the traditional roadside service industry through-out East Anglia. Fusing modern and traditional photographic practice, the work highlights the quintessential roadside Britain, those iconic diners and burger vans, those last remaining swing petrol pumps and the array of traditional roadside eateries which offer so many refuge while on the road. Supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council, England the work is headlined to exhibit at Babylon Gallery, Ely June 2010

Origins: Past Work

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On The Road began while attending University Of Westminster, studying for a Masters Of Arts in Photojournalism, 2008. A semblance to the project through-out East Anglia. The initial work concentrated on the services which lay on the A30 and A303 - a route which traverses from South West London to the rocky coastal peninsula of Lands End, Cornwall. While the narratives of the Trans-American adventures written by Jack Kerouac's and Willie Nelsons country classic provided me with a perfect title. Influenced by so many aspects of modern culture, here was an opportunity to dedicate a summer to work on a project with no constraints. Having spent almost a decade away from the UK, my main influence was to create something quintessentially British. My appetite was hungry for inspiration and it came while driving along the A12 in Suffolk. I pasted a Burger Van, one which I'd passed growing up in the region many times. Vivid memories ignited, most of which came while cycling from Le Talbooh Restaurant, where for 3 summers during my teens i worked as a part-time La Plonge. For reasons unbeknown, I was deeply charmed by this rustic roadside burger van, it's complete uniqueness was so diverse to the silver service restaurant where I'd just journeyed from. Sitting under a canape of grand Oak trees, adjacent to undulating pastureland while the traffic wisps past in all it's haste - it summed up something very British, a location full of transience, while representing a sense freedom. In those passing moments a concept was born. The finished work was exhibited in Host Gallery in September 2008 while a short and very personal run of 5 books were printed.

A photo reportage by Sam Mellish

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