The Locals

Exhibition of London villagers

Last year, Shaftesbury Estates commissioned Michael Massingham to take portraits of folk from Carnaby, Seven Dials and Chinatown to illustrate its annual report. On Wednesday, April 12, photographs from this project went on show to the public in The Locals, an exhibition which is literally sponsored by the landlords.

From an original line-up of 46 participants, you can view 26 individuals who work in and contribute to one of the three London villages where Shaftesbury owns substantial commercial and residential property. Some subjects - including the enigmatic Luke from the excellent Twinkled in Kingly Court - are also being immortalised with their boats appearing on massive hoardings along Carnaby Street itself. Compelling shots on show include Oliver Benjamin - one of the few tailors we have left working in and around Carnaby, Petterson from The Great Frog (an institution and legendary jeweller) and manager Mark from the vintage shop on Monmouth Street The Loft, as well as Jo from one of Newburgh's Street's coolest boutiques, Beyond The Valley. Behind the free-hanging photos on show you can see Michael's collage of portraits made into wallpaper - an inspired and amazing record of key London characters today.

The exhibition is at 63-65 Broadwick Street, it's free and open from 12.30 till 6.30pm daily from now until May 2nd and while we really enjoyed it, we are pining for a permanent space in Carnaby dedicated to documenting locals past and present.