Babylon Gallery

Saturday 19 June - Sunday 1 August. Babylon Gallery, Waterside, Ely, CB7 4AU.

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."

“The open road is no-mans land on the edge of society, and its inhabitants – the staff of cafes or hotels, the lorry drivers, salesmen and others who ply the road – are often imbued with a solitary stoicism, a kind of self sufficient melancholy” . Written by Rupert Martin, 1983, for Paul Graham’s book ‘A1 – The Great North Road

Roadside Britain: On The Road is a timeless glimpse at our roadside service industry imbued within East Anglia - A rich visual glance where moments of solitary and celerity pass each day. Celebrating those iconic roadside diners, the bright neon lights all of which have cemented foundations for an Americana ‘Route 66’ styled road trip, where Jack Kerouac used the road as a metaphor for coming of age, while Paul Graham and Stephan Shore documented cultures and societies along its way. By following the web of road networks throughout East Anglia, I sought to learn more about the social cultures instilled in our traditional roadside services industry. Many would argue that the age of prosperity of truck-stops and ‘worker’ cafe’s has long passed it's glory days, yet at the vanguard of our trunk-roads remains a steadfast workforce playing host to countless commuters, day-trippers and truckers alike, while clutching a rich bond of social diversities. Superficially, one may argue it’s 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. Having spent the previous eight months visiting many of these roadside establishments scattered throughout East Anglia, clocked countless miles and passed a seemingly unending supply of mainstream petrol stations and iconic restaurants, it's the individualism and eccentricities of these unique services, which sparks the imagination. As I chat to workers, truckers, businessman and women and the passers by who use these services, many recall an interesting yarn, while I leave with visual observations of our own cultures, embracing a traditional and quintessential trade unaffected by those whom pass by.

‘Supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England’