Martin Sapsed

Cyclists of Ealing at the Artisan Cafe

The Cyclists of Ealing

This is an exhibition about people, and though, ostensibly, intended as a celebration of cycling the collection and project has grown so that now I’m attempting to find a greater range and variety of cyclist to reflect who and what we are. I don’t think this collection of portraits will come in to its own for a while, but perhaps in a hundred years people will be able to look at this collection and maybe feel they have gained a better understanding of us.

The way I’ve chosen to present these pictures can be best explained by my background in archiving; the need to title, number and ground the picture in dates and details (by either the subject or myself), and even the choice of subject – small and innocuous, has been determined by awareness that sometimes the best things in any archive are the unique and personal. And if I have one eye on the future, then it’s fair to say I also have one eye on the past, for these are the kind of pictures that could easily have been taken a hundred years ago. Except maybe back then people found it easier to talk to each other.

Taking pictures has never been easier. We all have access to cameras and software that enables photographs to be enhanced and easily shared. But the art of the portrait photograph remains elusive. And in an age where we all have something to say as well as the means to say it, to take time out and put a bit of faith in a stranger displays a remarkable amount of trust at a time when it seems to be short on the ground. So, a big thank you to all the cyclists who have helped with the project.

I had in mind 50 pictures, both to complete the collection and as a useful number to fill a mid- sized gallery (if we ever get that far). Thus far I’m just over half way and suspect that even when I reach the magic number, the collection, though complete, will not be finished, and as long as I’m still in Ealing and still cycling there will always be the odd cyclist who catches my eye. Meanwhile if you, as a cyclist, find yourself talking to another cyclist who wants to take your picture for a portrait collection he’s putting together then I urge you to be brave and help the man out. The world needs more cyclists but it also needs more portraits.