01/05/2026
From Keywork, by
š last copies available on our website. Link in bio.
After more than a decade of photographing his native city of Bristol, Chris H***e reacted to the Covid-19 pandemic with a new series of images about the city during lockdown. Continuing his job as a bicycle courier, delivering food each day on Bristolās deserted streets throughout the national lockdown in 2020, he began photographing with a point and shoot camera from his bike.
āI became interested in the way the word āKeyworkā was being thrown around to describe many occupations which until that point went under the radar and were unrespected.ā
Being a keyworker himself offered H***e a unique perspective from which to photograph the city, as he visited the houses of customers from a diverse range of economic backgrounds each shift. In between his deliveries, H***e encountered and photographed other keyworkers, lone figures carrying out their jobs on the empty streets and in supermarket car parks. Bristolās long standing struggle with homelessness is another key theme of the work. While out delivering, H***e became aware that besides Keyworkers, the only people he saw in the streets were those without a home to isolate in.
āWe talked about a lot of things, particularly how the pandemic had affected themā¦ Many went into the hotels, but many didnāt, deciding it better for them to stay on the street where they were.ā
In spontaneously observed moments, H***e describes life during lockdown in a UK city, touching upon themes of community, homelessness, and the stratification of wealth in the city of Bristol, the blossoming of spring during lockdown, and the role of key workers throughout the time.
The book contains an accompanying essay written by Bristol-based anthropologist, Dr Shawn Sobers.
Standard edition
Saddle sewn
Screen printed soft cover
80 pages
Size 210mm x 148mm
First edition of 250
Special edition
Signed copy of keywork
Edition of 50
10x8 GiclƩe Print
