The Project

SASHA BOWLES

77-79 SOUTHERN ROW

On entering the dilapidated houses of 77-79 Southern Row W10; I was immeadiately inspired to document as much as I could. The plan was for a group of artists to respond to the buildings before their sale a mere 2 weeks later. The houses are very run down and reek of recent neglect. There is very little left of the original contents, but what is left resonated the former residents and their businesses.

I spent 2 days photographing every room/space, of which there are 40, and I then took something from that room as a momento or physical evidence. Something small, such as a piece of carpet, wallpaper, plaster or tiny light bulb. I was begining to feel like an archeologist piecing together clues.

Each room photograph was then printed onto a small envelope, (many of which were found in the house), the momento was placed inside and then I wrote the date of photo, what was inside and the room it was taken from on the front of the envelope.

The house of 79 contained a photographic darkroom, which struck me as the ideal place to make my installation. Whilst documenting the house I came across a room that had been papered with xerox copies of prints, from the print business. Many layered and beautiful in their juxaposition of images; one image stood out in particular. It was the face of a young girl. I have no idea of who this girl is, but her image was striking. She became the focus of my installation.

Who's that girl?