British photographer Oli Kellett finds serenity at crosswalks during city life’s constant motion and noise. From the crowded streets of New York to the vibrant avenues of Rio de Janeiro, Kellett’s lens has transformed mundane urban intersections into scenes of dramatic, contemplative stillness. His recent exhibition at HackelBury Fine Art in London, titled “Waiting for a Sign,” along with his first monograph, “Cross Road Blues,” showcases this journey of capturing unexpected moments of peace in bustling cities.
The Heart of Kellett’s Work
Kellett’s fascination lies in capturing the essence of stillness and contemplation. “I’m interested in the idea of stillness and contemplation,” he revealed at his London gallery. His large-scale pictures, part of the “Cross Road Blues” series, portray people at crosswalks in a moment of decision, symbolizing life’s more extensive directional choices. Each image tells a unique story – a street cleaner in Boston, lost in thought under a sliver of sunlight, or a diverse group in Chicago, paused in bright, dappled light, each looking in different directions.
The inception of “Cross Road Blues” occurred unexpectedly in Los Angeles during the 2016 election. Initially aimed at capturing the political climate, Kellett found himself drawn to the individual stories of people at crosswalks, realizing, “It’s not about politics; it’s about individuals.” This pivot led him to various U.S. cities, where the grid layouts and downtown architectures provided the ideal backdrop for his contemplation-focused images.
The Unstaged Beauty of Chance
Kellett’s process involves a blend of patience, observation, and uncertainty. He stresses the importance of chance in his work, explaining how none of his photographs are staged. The perfect shot emerges from a harmonious convergence of the right light, a peaceful moment, and an individual’s compelling presence at a crosswalk. This uncontrived approach results in images that, while looking orchestrated, genuinely capture spontaneous instances of urban tranquillity.
The series concluded in Rio de Janeiro with a striking image of a man in a contemplative pose, marking a fitting end to Kellett’s exploration. His work transcends the contemporary urban setting, connecting to a more profound, timeless sense of humanity, much like sacred figures in historical religious paintings. As for what lies ahead, Kellett remains open to the unpredictable, echoing his philosophy: “It’s about walking out the door and not knowing who you’re going to find, or where you’re going to go.”
