Doomed Gallery came about in August 2011 amidst the London riots, or civil unrest as some like to call it. Sounds of sirens and helicopters filled the air as the disgruntled youth had taken to the streets after the police had shot dead a young man in East London. And so Doomed was born in a semi submerged underground basement, ideally placed in a mainly African market in Dalston. Our policy was open door. We had a motto of “if it ain't enjoyable, we ain't doing it”. So many so called galleries were boring and exclusive, we wanted to cock a snook to these places, those who had turned art into a currency. As a democratic autocracy, we soon became the epicenter for emerging photographers. We prided ourselves on allowing creative exploration, championing zine and DIY culture and encouraging creative curation and personal responsibility. We were essentially an underground gallery answerable to No One.
We always pushed our exhibitors to create something of interest, add performances, have a band play, give a talk. Apart from that, we insisted that they pay for all the drinks, to encourage networking and hanging out like in a club, somewhere you might like to spend time. Ollie Murphy mentioned that was he in conversation with a photographer who had shot a lot of No Wave in the late 70s. Both liked to work with portraiture and they had become good friends via Instagram, even though Julia Gorton lived in New York, and Ollie was in London. Together they cooked up this idea of having a studio day where anyone was invited who wanted to be included in the exhibition the next day. The show was called YOU ARE THE SHOW. Julia and Ollie worked taking photos of everyone who came by; it was very chilled. Many people came and many photos were shot. Hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed being a part of it.
KEN FLAHERTY, Founder/Janitor Doomed Gallery 2011~2018
Feeling rather bored and dissatisfied with my academic career, I needed a sign to take the next step. Ollie Murphy messaged me on Instagram, “Your photos are so beautiful,” and I replied, “Someday we should take photos together” and thus began this project. Ollie was friends with the photographer, Matt Martin, who managed Doomed Gallery on Ridley Road, a community punk space in east London for Ken Flaherty, the founder. “We could have a show there,” Ollie said. I sent the money over and we rented the space.
I traveled to London during winter break. Ollie and I taped our work to the basement walls during a chilly January day. My husband went out and bought a case of beer for the opening.
The show opening was well attended, and I photographed a few people against a black curtain with my phone. The first couple in the gallery below, Kitty Garret and Chris Lenz, were the inspiration to return to doing portrait work. I knew then what my next step would be. I vowed to return to London and have an open studio at Doomed where anyone who wanted, could drop in.
In July, Ollie and I put on YOU ARE THE SHOW and over 100 friends and neighbors came in to hang out, talk and sit for portraits with us both. Thanks, Ollie, Matt and Ken, you opened the door for me, and for all the work that has followed.
JULIA GORTON
