Gustav Metzger – Shot on Ilford Film
This project reflects on the unexpected ways human connection can shape our lives. In 2011, during a bus journey home, I helped an elderly man who was struggling to get off the bus. That man was Gustav Metzger.
At the time, I had just lost my father, and meeting Gustav became a turning point in my life. He guided me through my grief, reminding me of the value of life and the ways that loss can give it meaning. Beyond his support, Gustav reawakened my passion for photography and art, inspiring me creatively and challenging me to see the world differently. He became a teacher, a mentor, and a friend.
Over time, with trust and collaboration, Gustav allowed me to photograph him. Together, we selected the images that became part of "The Story of How We Met", a project combining photography and poetry to explore human connection, intimacy, and friendship. The series reflects how values such as kindness, care, and compassion can foster creativity and deepen relationships.
Two of these images were later selected for the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition in London. For me, this recognition felt deeply significant — a quiet acknowledgment of a promise kept and of the bond we shared, as if the universe had orchestrated this moment to honour our connection and journey together.