In an era increasingly defined by rapid automation and the cold efficiency of digital screens, a new photographic project serves as a stark, human-centered reminder: London still makes things, and the people who make them matter. Award-winning photographer Orlando Gili has spent months documenting the resilient artisan culture of the Old Kent Road, an area historically known for its industrial grit, now revealed to be a thriving hub of bespoke craftsmanship and manual expertise.
The Industrial Backbone of the Capital
The Old Kent Road, famously recognized as the most affordable property on the London Monopoly board, is being reimagined not through the lens of gentrification, but through the enduring value of its industrial workshops. Gili’s series captures a hidden network of artisans—sculptors, metalworkers, and heritage specialists—who remain anchored in the physical, material realm. By focusing on these makers, the project challenges the narrative that London has become entirely service-oriented or digitized, showcasing instead a city that continues to produce goods through immense skill, precision, and the art of working with one’s hands.
Craftsmanship in Contrast
Central to Gili’s work is the story of Kaymet, a manufacturer that has been producing iconic metal trays since 1947. Their products, which grace the tables of Michelin-starred restaurants like The Ledbury and even the Royal Yacht, originate from an environment that stands in dramatic contrast to their elegant end-use. Gili’s images document the grit and dust of the polishing room, capturing the tactile reality of the production process. This visual juxtaposition between the industrial setting and the refined final product allows viewers to appreciate not just the object itself, but the human discipline required to create it. It is a testament to the artisan’s life: a career rooted in repetition, patience, and unwavering technical standards.
Preserving the Future of Trades
The series goes beyond mere documentation; it is a call to recognize the economic and cultural importance of manual labor. From the heritage marble specialists at Diespeker & Co. to the intricate work at London Stone Carving, these workshops represent more than just businesses. They represent the preservation of knowledge and the survival of traditional techniques in a modern market. Gili captures these moments—a polisher mid-break, a sculptor at the bench—to elevate the status of these individuals. In a world that is obsessed with the speed of output, this work celebrates the slower, more deliberate pace of high-quality craftsmanship, proving that the human element is, and will always be, the most essential component of London’s diverse and evolving industrial identity.
