Cutting his teeth as a photographer while still at school in the 1970s, Neil Martinson captured a Hackney where houses were still bombed out from the war, kids got their larks playing in the streets, a thriving factory industry belched fumes into the ether, and gentrification was about as far off as anything you could imagine.
Through his prolific, and candid, approach Martinson built up what is now an invaluable archive of pictures, documenting an east London barely recognisable in 2022. A book was recently released featuring many of his images, and now a selection of Martinson's photos is on display at a free exhibition at Two More Years in Hackney Wick, from 19 October-15 November.
While these photos capture a gritty, scuffed up version of Hackney, Martinson highlights a stark fact: "Hackney may have been poor but there was no need for food banks in those times."
Framed photographs are on sale throughout the exhibition, with proceeds going to Hackney Foodbank.
Martinson remains active, and the exhibition also features some of his latest photos, capturing Hackney's contemporary residents.
Rare Hackney by Neil Martinson at Two More Years, Hackney Wick, 19 October-15 November 2022, free.
