Portraits
Richard
Richard talks a lot with his hands, flinging them around in conversation, with words he doesn’t mince. He’s smart and well spoken, with his refined English accent. He’s educated, he knows which way is up and which way is down (including all the finer points between the two) and is street wise. I ran into him in Newtown here in Wellington (the place has a similar vibe to K’Road in Auckland). “Are you able to spare me a dollar?” He asked in a direct yet very polite manner. We chatted and got talking about photography. Turns out he knows my friends at Gow Langsford Gallery in Auckland. Small world.
I’ll allow you to photograph me on one condition.... you drop me off home afterwards and photograph two oil paintings I recently acquired.
Richard knows lots about a lot of things, particularly NZ artists Frances Hodgkins and Colin McCahn. What he doesn’t know he’ll find out. He’s your classic collector hoarder hustler researcher wheeler dealer with a good eye and heaps of acquired knowledge. His council flat is loaded to the hilt with books paintings and possessions in no particular order, and his office is a bench by the taxi stand next to New World Supermarket where he chooses to spend time hanging with his streety friends. His stories are awesome.
“Used to own a purple Jaguar and a few acres of land in the country. When I had spare coin I’d take my 4 year son to the pet shop, buy 20 rabbits, pack them into the back of the jag and set them free when we got home. Glad I bought animals in to my kids life... they are such good teachers.”
