Upon the High Street
Upon the High Street is a photography project shot in collaboration with Joshua Atkins. This Collection of images focuses on Chatham's High Street and the surrounding area, offering the raw view of the Kent town and the people that utilise the space there.
Chatham 's history, rooted in the dockyard and army barracks, has forged a resilient working-class identity, which is etched into the streets. The Closure of the dockyard in 1984 brought huge challenges, but the area has adapted and continues to evolve.
Over the past two decades, a wave of ethnic minority populations has breathed new life into Chatham, transforming the High Street into a vibrant cultural mosaic. Against the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit vote, these photos capture the continually changing dynamic.
64.1% of Medway residents voted in favour of the referendum.
This project does not shy away from the reality, capturing what could be considered the "last generation" of the High Street shoppers. A shifting retail landscape, fuelled by online shopping and next-day delivery, "To Let" signs and vape stories punctuate the scenery, filling the vacuum left by fixtures that had been there an eternity. Thankfully, the locals persist.
Upon the High Street is a glimpse of Chatham's evolution - a testament to its resilience and the blend of cultures that exist along High Streets across the UK; it is a look at a town in permanent transition, where history meets contemporary life.
For Joshua's work;
