NEW TOWN PORTRAITS
by Mark Massey
Thomas cook, Eastgate shopping Centre, Basildon town centre, SS14 1AF
New Town Portraits’ will be a series of portraits of the people of Basildon. Photographing ‘real Basildonians’ – showcasing a complete cross-section of society in all its diversity.
Encouraging all passers-by, residents and visitors to pop in for a chat and a portrait. As the weeks go on, portraits captured will be displayed in the space, creating an ever evolving of pop-up gallery, you’ll be able to find all portraits online as well!
At the end of the New Town Portraits, everyone involved will be invited to collect their portrait to keep. Mark will be producing a limited-edition tabloid newsprint publication featuring an edit of the resulting portraits – this will be available and FREE to the people of Basildon. – make sure to get your copy at the end.
A project for everyone, with no restrictions! New Town Portraits aim is to capture the diversity of Basildon, whether that’s by ethnicity, age, religion, class, sexuality, ability – all are invited to be apart of New Town Portraits.
Opening Times
Saturdays: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Sundays: 10am – 4pm
COLLECT YOUR FREE PORTRAIT
WEEKEND 26TH & 27TH JUNE
Pop down to say Hi to Mark every weekend and celebrate Basildon’s diversity, Mark is even offering free cups of tea and coffee for visitors, maybe even a cheeky biscuit on the side!
Suitable for all ages. No booking required, just turn up.
Scroll through some of the first portraits captured from New Town Portraits
About Mark Massey
I was born and raised in Southend and have lived there all my life. For many years I commuted to London to work as a magazine designer, before being made redundant towards the end of 2019. Since then I’ve used my time as an opportunity to re-connect with my community and concentrate on personal photography projects, as well as freelancing as a print designer and photographer. Despite being worse off financially I’m so much happier being based in Essex, close to the seaside and everything else the county has to offer – I don’t know how I put up with the commute for so long.
Activities
New Town Portraits will be encouraging people to stop, chat, engage and talk about what Basildon means to them – these thoughts about the town’s past, present and future will be presented with the portraits online and in print. – could you be the new face of Basildon?
New Town Portraits will be inviting members of local groups down to have a portrait. Mark wants to involve all areas of the community so if you are part of a group that would be interested in taking part, please feel free to get in touch and we can arrange something.