A renowned Mexican photographer wants to track down an elderly New Cross couple he photographed in the ‘80s – back when South London was a “wild west”.
Cesar Vera was “fascinated” by South London as a young student at Goldsmiths University – especially the “dapper” working class who he remembers dressing with such “dignity and style”.
Forty years later, he wants to show the photo to relatives of the “wonderful” New Cross couple – whose “elegance” left a lasting impression.
Cesar Vera’s Goldsmiths exhibition Ephemeral Moments: The Photographic Art of Cesar Vera 1981-1984
Cesar, whose collection of locally-shot ’80s photos was recently exhibited at Goldsmiths, said: “For me, it [New Cross] was very attractive for how many different characters and people it had. It was like a wild west in a way.”
He continued: “In Mexico, there were no social classes and I realised in England the social classes were clearly defined.
“Even by the way people talk you can tell what social group they were from. But saying that, all these different groups had so much dignity and style. They would dress so proper.
“They had these lovely wool coats and I was impressed by how dapper they looked. They would dress very sharp and that was very interesting – that sense of pride British culture had.”
While photographing in New Cross, he met the couple. “On a typical midday, I remember deciding to capture street photos around New Cross Road,” Cesar said.
“I stumbled upon a mature couple exuding a casual yet elegant demeanour. Struck by their remarkable resemblance, I managed to approach them discreetly and capture their photograph.”
Cesar’s South London photographs were displayed at the Professor Stuart Hall Building, Goldsmiths, as part of Ephemeral Moments: The Photographic Art of Cesar Vera 1981-1984, earlier this month.
The images reflect what fascinated Cesar about London – “austere” environments that felt like a “capture of time”.
“It was a little bit more austere [than today]. There were not so many shops and businesses and supermarkets had almost empty shelves,” he said.
“The subways were a little bit old. It was a capture of time – maybe from the war – and that really excited me.”
Raised in Mexico and now living in New York, Cesar Vera is an award-winning photographer and creative director whose work focuses on personalities, celebrities, art and culture.
If you recognise the couple, contact Cesar Vera or Goldsmiths University.
https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/culture/photographer-searching-for-elegant-new-cross-couple-he-snapped-in-the-80s-when-south-london-was-a-wild-west/
