Last Days of Hellingly

These photos were shot with my LX3 in February 2011, on what was to be my last visit to Hellingly Asylum, as it was being rapidly demolished and Mark and I could both see that there would soon be nothing left at all. It was a muted and sad day for us both, for strange as it may seem we had become attached to the place which was for both of us our first explore.

The first group of shots are from one of the admin buildings on the other side of the road from the main asylum complex, and contained a few more pieces of furniture and items of clothing than remained elsewhere at the time.

Looking towards what was the main asylum complex, now mostly rendered to piles of brick and rubble.  There were workmen on site while we were there, although a fair distance from where we were, but we still moved swiftly from one building to the next in order not to be spotted.

The main admin building, standing forlorn and alone, surrounded

by empty space where once the other red brick buildings stood.

Saddest of all, the remains of the great hall, which had just the week before 

still been standing.  Will let the photos speak for me here......

The beautiful leaded glass windows that once graced the arches surrounding the hall.

Not any more .......

See also 'Last Days of Hellingly, Part 2'
'Last Days of Hellingly, Part 3'

Border Line at The Signal Gallery

Last Thursday Mark and I attended the private view 'Border Line' at The Signal Gallery, where photographs from the book 'Out of Sight' by our friend Jeremy were featured alongside new works from the French street artist C215.  The book contains Jeremy's photos of urban art in abandoned spaces, shot in Europe and the United Kingdom, and combines his love of Urban Exploration and Street Art in one very well produced and fascinating volume.  It is well worth buying if you are interested in either or both subjects!

C215 is a well-travelled street artist who has put up work in various countries around the world (I even found and photographed some in Venice when I was there last month), and his work has a considered precision yet flowing beauty about it which I find particularly appealing.  Whilst he is usually posting work to walls and other outdoor surfaces, his use of old oil cans, cardboard, old book covers and even a guillotine were particularly effective 'canvases' and made a striking display.

It was a good evening.  Great as always to see Jeremy, to catch up and plan an outing to Sheffield to shoot some street art there, and good to meet Christian (C215) and see his fascinating work.  I especially liked the pieces on antique book covers, would have loved to have bought one, but a bit out of my price range!

Mr B enjoys a pint at the boozer next-door to the gallery

C215's work on the pillarbox opposite the gallery

And inside the gallery, the 'official' work

Christian a.k.a. C215

Mark

The work on the antique book covers - gorgeous!

Jeremy and Mark

Jeremy signing my copy of 'Out of Sight'

More from C215 and Alice in nearby Blackall Street

Some other artists' work in Blackall Street

Cartrain