Selfie, 1977
In the mid-70s, as a teenager at a boarding school in Christchurch, I was obsessed with photography. On weekends, I'd escape to the city centre and spend hours in Cathedral Square, capturing everyday moments—people hurrying to work, friends meeting on benches, shoppers resting, and buses coming and going. 50 years later, I’m revisiting those images, curious about the stories and memories they might uncover.
Photography has remained a big part of my life, including two decades as my work. While my equipment and skills have evolved, those early photos still feel like an unfinished project. Many of the original negatives were never printed, so I’ve been rediscovering and curating them—a window into life in Christchurch’s heart half a century ago.
I've spent time down there lately with my camera. I planned to spend time re photographing the Square and hopefully collate a series of old and new, but I find it frustrating; it's such a disjointed space now. Over a decade later the Cathedral rebuild has paused; beautiful new buildings like Te Pae intermingle with tagged ruins. Tourist groups meander through, unaware of the life formerly held.
How to bring the Square full circle? That's a question I'm still trying to resolve.
Are you interested in being part of this project? I would like to meet, hear your stories about the Square, and make a portrait of you wherever you like. Just fill in the form below and I'll be in touch.
Hopefully this project will be a meaningful contribution the the history of Christchurch.
Thank you! #I'll be in touch soon.
