LIFE
FORCE
The magazine of the photo-essay
June 2017 back issue
The Lonely Man
by Nicky Hamilton
.
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
“They fuck you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do.” - This Be The Verse by Philip Larkin.
The Lonely Man is a deeply personal project. The thirteen piece tableau explores my childhood relationship with my
father, a relationship that was conducted through “a maze of police raids, guns, drugs, violence and, ultimately,
redemption” after he was declared bankrupt in the 1980s.
In the early years my Dad started out as a builder. Things where simple, holidays where plenty and so was the laughter.
In the mid 80s my Dad lost his business in a freak incident and had to declare himself bankrupt, post a recent purchase
of a dream home he could no longer afford. Maggie Thatcher’s reign had taken hold, the economy was weak and so
was my Dad’s judgement. He turned to crime and crime turned him into a drug addict who would one day call his son
and ask me to prevent him from committing suicide.
Each picture takes around three months to complete with a unique set, hand built by myself, for each.
The Loft.
The Sunbed.
The Stairs.
My Bedroom.
Their Bedroom.
The Bathroom.
The Weekends.
The Waiting.
The Mirror.
The Hotel.
The Long Night.
The Shower.
The Pub.
