Nico Froehlich’s photographs are a reminder of London’s overlooked, authentic elements

Born and lifted in south east London, Nico Froehlich is a photographer represented by AMP Company who focuses on showcasing the splendor and variety of declining performing-course daily life. Via his photographs, he attracts interest to the marginalisation and displacement of authentic communities, an all far too prevalent and unfortunate side result of gentrification.

This just isn’t to say Nico’s imagery is weighed down with negativity, however. In simple fact, his images capture the “essence of existence” in the culturally wealthy streets of operating-course communities and act as a celebration of the numerous social teams which can be located both equally in London and close to Britain as a entire. And as a little one of immigrants, Nico understands all too nicely the worth of preserving the cultural heritage of our metropolitan areas and shining a mild on the issues that the moment obscured his youth.

A key example of Nico’s skills is his collection titled South of the River. Getting just lately been named a LensCulture award winner, this set of pictures depicts anything from the exterior of a fish bar glowing in the night, an overflowing sink of washing up, and the loaded stillness of an vacant public swimming pool. It’s this focus on daily particulars – which includes a 50 %-empty bottle of takeaway ketchup – wherever Nico’s strengths as a photographer lie, as he aims to request out and document the authentic moments of London life.

Beneath the surface of these photos, as with plenty of Nico’s do the job, is the spectre of gentrification. Speaking to Artistic Increase, Nico suggests that the effects of regeneration, both very good and negative, fascinate him due to the fact they are a byproduct of urban environments.

“I recognise the pace of adjust in my spot in specific my perform serves as a reminder of the relevance of wide range and celebrates the optimism and perseverance of persons and communities who are usually disregarded and disempowered.”

He adds: “Rising up in this spot of London had a big impact on my artistic outlook,” he points out. “London is incredibly layered and, at its greatest, it thrives as a cosmopolitan, multicultural city. These cultural influences have enriched and formed me as a Londoner and subsequently influenced my imaginative enhancement in a way that simply cannot be overstated.”

When it would be all way too easy for Nico to build a dismal portrait of the results of gentrification, he shown his originality and creative flair by bringing out the vibrant colours and life that are found in his property. “South east London is amazingly vivid and colourful,” he reveals. “It is element of the social fabric below, and there is normally a sense of hopefulness – regardless of the quite a few detrimental factors stifling fairness and progress.”

As for the persons who appear in Nico’s photographs, these as the young adults tucking into a box of chicken nuggets, a crimson puffer jacketed mum with her daughter using together in a matching pram, or the operator of Pound Additionally standing proudly outside his shop, he says these additional to the feeling of realism by typically staying “likelihood come across street portraits of the quite a few people today I fulfill on the streets of south east London.”

Nico’s current recognition by LensCulture is nicely-deserved, but it also arrived as a surprise. “I truly did not expect to gain the level of competition,” he suggests. “I (clearly) assumed I could do really properly, but to gain was frustrating. The encouragement and recognition are extremely motivating.”

South of the River serves as a stunning reminder of London’s multi-faceted and normally disregarded communities. And it is not just an eye-opening collection for viewers. Even Nico has identified a new appreciation for the boroughs in which he was born and raised.

“If something, I am continually reminded of how attractive and various this city is,” he concludes. “There is so a great deal richness to check out and document. London’s disregarded, authentic components make this town incredibly exceptional.”